Goals by Ze Roberto Santana and Eduardo Sebrango powered the Montreal Impact to a 2-1 win over the Syracuse Salty Dogs in a game played before 7, 764 spectators. Rene Rivas had the lone goal for Syracuse.
Both teams played a very physical game but the Impact had the better scoring chances and a better defense. The Impact clearly dominated the first half easily sending players into the Syracuse box. In the second minute Mauro Biello fed a great pass to Sebrango in the box but the forward could not reach the ball in time. The Impact opened the scoring in the ninth minute when Nick De Santis sent a cross into the left side of the Syracuse box and Santana plunged at the ball heading it past Salty Dogs keeper Paul Nagy. The Syracuse keeper had a difficult first half. Just three minutes after the goal he dove to catch an easy cross but dropped the ball. Luckily for him Biello, who was nearby, could not get a shot off. Santana almost had a second goal in the 22nd minute when he shot the ball past Nagy and towards the back of the net. It was kicked off the line in the nick of time by a Syracuse player.
At the other end, Impact keeper Greg Sutton faced several challenges but held his ground. In injury time Sebrango came tearing down the right side, cut to the left to get away from defender Judah cooks and sent a left footed shot that beat Nagy for Montreal's second goal.
In the second half the Impact picked up where they left off. Mark Rowland made a great run and sent a shot from just inside the box that went over the bar. Syracuse started to press the Montreal defense in the latter stages of the half but their passes and shots were not particularly threatening. Rowland made a nice pass in the box to Sebrango in the 68th minute but the forward could not reach it in time. Montreal had their best chance of the half in the 81st minute when Chris Williams sent a pass to Sebrango in the box. He could not connect with the ball and it bounced out to substitute Sita-Taty Matondo who was in great position but could not get a handle on the ball. Syracuse was awarded a corner with just four minutes left in the game. Shaun Tsakiris sent a perfect cross into the box that Rene Rivas headed past Sutton for the score. Just three minutes later it appeared that the Salty Dogs had tied the score when Cooks collided with Sutton and the ball dribbled into the net but the referee waved the goal off. The final score, Montreal 2 Syracuse 1.
Montreal coach Bob Lilley praised his players saying, "We knew it would be physical and we played very well. I was really pleased with our focus and concentration." Sutton, who had a strong game, also praised his defense saying, "The guys are playing tough in the back."
Montreal will now host the Toronto Lynx on Wednesday night.
Game notes: The Impact wore their third jerseys for the first time tonight as part of Legea promotional night. Martin Nash and Nevio Pizzolitto are with Canada's National team in Boston competing in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, the regional championship for countries in North and Central America and the Caribbean. Backup keeper Michael Ueltschey rejoined the team after backing up Tom Presthus of the Columbus Crew in the MLS for two games.
Lineups:
Montreal-Sutton (GK), Ditullio, Kopp, Gervais, Fronimadis, DeSantis, Rowland (Leduc 69), Ze Roberto Santana, Williams (Barker 84), Sebrango, Biello (Matondo 75). Substitutes not used: Ueltschey (GK), Arango, Francois, Kolic.
Syracuse-Nagy (GK), Kemble (Sinozic 50), Cooks, Rivas, Semedo, Medina (Millwood 30), Tsakiris, Lyssand (Delgado 54), Neto (Woan 46), Bardales, Valencia (Gentile 84). Substitutes not used: Gabb (GK), Hall.
Goals: Santana (9th minute, Montreal), Sebrango (45th minute, Montreal), Rivas (86th minute, Syracuse)
Cautions: Kemble (22nd minute, Syracuse), Tsakiris (40th minute, Syracuse)
Ejections: None.
Conditions: Cool and rainy.
Attendance: 7, 764
