A goal in the 88th minute by Eduardo Sebrango lifted the Montreal Impact to a 1-0 win over the Atlanta Silverbacks in front of an enthusiastic crowd of 7,752 people. The game was the last of the regular season for both teams.
The game started very slowly with both teams playing conservatively. The Silverbacks had the first chances with forward Jamel Mitchell heading a great cross over the net in the 9th minute. In the 24th minute Atlanta had another chance when Jordy Broder sent a rocket from 25 yards that Montreal keeper Greg Sutton just managed to stop. Just one minute later, the Silverbacks had to substitute Jeff Cassar the starting keeper when he pulled his groin clearing a ball. Montreal had the best chance of the half when Gabriel Gervais headed a Patrice Bernier corner just wide in the 29th minute. Montreal kept up the pressure and had another good chance ten minutes later when Sebrango shot towards the net from just inside the box. The Atlanta keeper, Cole Burgman, missed the ball and it had to be cleared off the line by defender Byron Mitchell. Montreal forward Mark Rowland, who was named first star of the game, made a great play towards the end of the half when he sped down the right side and shot a bullet that Burgman just managed to punch out of danger.
In the second half the teams traded chances equally. In the 64th minute Rowland sent a terrific shot from eight yards out that Burgman knocked out of danger. The Silverbacks continued to press but had a difficult time penetrating the Montreal defense. Sebrango had a fantastic chance in the 86th minute but defender Byron Mitchell cleared his precise shot. Just two minutes later Sebrango went in alone with Rowland and sent a low hard shot into the lower left side of the net to put Montreal ahead. It was the Cuban striker's 18th goal of the season, a team record. Montreal 1 Atlanta 0.
The Silverbacks almost tied the game up in injury time when Byron Mitchell's shot went off the left post following a mad scramble in front of the Montreal net.
After the game Montreal coach Bob Lilley was full of praise for his team. In describing his team's tenacious play he said, " We did a great job creating chances. We tried to be aggressive." On the play of Rowland he said, "He's been a sparkplug for us this year. He was dangerous all game." Rowland was pleased with the team's effort saying, "We knew we had to win. We came out to play our best soccer."
The Impact now awaits the result of the Rochester-Minnesota game. Rochester must win to finish first in the division and earn a bye for the first round of the playoffs. A Rochester loss or a tie will give Montreal the bye. Otherwise, the Impact will play the first round against the pesky Charlotte Eagles as of Wednesday.
Game notes: The Impact was presented the first ever Voyageurs Cup before the game. The Cup is given to the Canadian A-league team with the best record against the other Canadian teams.
Lineups:
Montreal: Sutton (GK), Braz (Barker 81), Pizzolitto, Gervais, Kopp (DiTullio 63), De Santis (Leduc 77), Rowland, Bernier, Oliviero (Placentino 73), Sebrango, Biello (Kolic 81). Substitutes not used: Shepherd (GK), Fonimadis.
Atlanta: Cassar (Burgman 35) (GK), Annicchero, Fletcher, Byron Mitchell, Woods, Jean-Baptiste, Hetherington (Nusum 82), Broder (Leib 58), Piesner, Akin, Jamel Mitchell (Klinger 46). Substitutes not used: Wall, Iotov.
Cautions: Akin (Atlanta) 49th minute.
Ejections: none.
Goals: Sebrango (assist to Kolic) 88th minute.
Attendance: 7, 753
Conditions: Warm and sunny. Field very dry.
Three stars: 1) Rowland 2) Burgman 3) Sebrango
