(CP) – 16 minutes ago
BAYAMON, Puerto Rico — Peter Byers and Eduardo Sebrango scored as the Montreal Impact advanced to the United Soccer Leagues First Division final with a 2-1 win over the third-seeded Puerto Rico Islanders on Sunday in the second leg of their semifinal series.
The fifth-seeded Impact also won the first leg on the series 2-1 in Montreal on Tuesday, giving them a 4-2 aggregate win overall.
«We have won here thanks to our character and passion,» said Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. «We were ready to suffer in Puerto Rico. We played like a team who continuously fought to win the match.»
Montreal will face defending champion Vancouver in the two-game final. The Whitecaps beat the Portland Timbers 5-4 on aggregate goals in the other semifinal.
Vancouver will host the first leg of the final on Saturday at 9:30 p.m. ET. The second leg will be played in Montreal at a date yet to be confirmed.
The Impact opened the scoring in the second minute of play. Midfielder Joey Gjertsen had his shot stopped by goalkeeper Bill Gaudette, but Byers jumped on the rebound and scored into an empty net
The Islanders tied the game in the 86th minute. Forward Josh Hansen beat Montreal goaltender Matt Jordan with a shot in the upper-left corner of the goal.
Sebrango scored the insurance goal of the series in stoppage time, taking a cross from Leonardo Di Lorenzo and firing a low strike from inside the six-yard area.
Jordan set a new Impact record with seven career playoff wins. Jordan, who saved a total of 12 shots, stood out in the second half by saving point blank shots from John Krause and Nicholas Addlery.
«I wanted to help the team the best I could,» Jordan said. «I take my hat off to my teammates and the coaching staff for preparing us amazingly well. They were warriors throughout the match and they deserve everything tonight.»
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