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TORONTO 0 IMPACT 0
MONTREAL – In the Impact’s last game of the regular season, Montreal (14-5-9) and the Toronto Lynx (7-12-8) played to a 0-0 tie, Friday, at Claude-Robillard Sports Complex, in front of 12,891 spectators.
The tie keeps Montreal in first place in USL First Division standings with 51 points, five points ahead of Rochester. The Rhinos, however, have two games left to play and could therefore clinch the regular-season championship with two wins.
“Toronto played with more intensity than us,” said Impact head coach Nick De Santis. “It’s unacceptable to play that way at home. We tried different combinations for the upcoming playoffs. We will have time to regroup for the semi-finals.”
Impact forward Mauricio Salles had a golden opportunity to give Montreal the lead at the 53rd minute when the Impact was awarded a penalty kick following a hand ball by a Lynx defender in the box. Salles’ low shot to the right side of the net was blocked with a sliding save by Toronto Lynx goalkeeper Theo Zagar.
The tie allowed the Impact to win the Voyageurs Cup for a fifth straight year, which is awarded by the fans to the top Canadian team in the USL D1.
Goalkeeper Greg Sutton earned his ninth shutout of the season and ends the regular season with a goals-against average of .500.
“We gave away the win and now we will have to look at Rochester to know if we clinch first place or not,” said Sutton. “On a positive note, we did not allow a goal at home tonight. We will have to work hard over the next two weeks to solidify our offence for the playoffs.”
Montreal set two new team records at home for the most shutouts in a season, with 10, and the least goals allowed in a season with 4.
“We have to look at ourselves now and see what we can do to perform better and come up with a better effort in the next games,” said defender Adam Braz. “We will need two strong performances in the semi-finals to reach the final.”
By clinching at least second place in USL D1, the Impact is already guaranteed a bye into the semi-finals, an aggregate-goal two-game home-and-away series, which will take place September 22 and 24. The Impact’s opponent will be known after the quarters-final that will be played on September 15 and 17.
THE HIGHLIGHTS
12th minute – From the top of the 18-yard box, Lynx midfielder Robbie Aristodemo took a low hard shot that Impact goalkeeper Greg Sutton tipped wide, diving to his right.
33rd minute – On a corner kick by Leonardo Di Lorenzo, Impact midfielder Lars Lyssand deflected the ball with a header just wide of the Lynx net.
MISSING FROM THE LINE-UP
Team – Player (Position) – Reason – Status
MTL – Zé Roberto (M) – Fractured right tibia August 25 vs VB – Out for the season
MTL - Jason Di Tullio (D) - Knee injury July 21 @ MIN - Out for the season
MTL – Kirk Wilson (M) – Out for personal reasons
NEXT GAMES
Friday September 22 – Semi-final – Game #1 - To be determined
Sunday September 24 – Semi-final – Game #2 - To be determined
GAME SUMMARY
www.impactmontreal.com/Tracker/Tracker.aspx?GameID=27&language=EN
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Source : Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info : 514-328-3668 Ext. 27
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