Jul 04 Impact Blunders Lead to 2-1 Loss to Rochester

The Montreal Impact, while looking for their scoring touch to return, could always count on their defence to at least weather the storm while the search continued. But what happens when the defence begins to become depleted? The 2-1 loss to Rochester last night is one of those side effects.

With defenders Stefano Pesoli (toe) and Hicham Aboubou (personal reasons)  Cedric Joqueviel (personal reasons) and now Adam Braz (hip) out of the line-up, it makes it hard for Nevio Pizzolitto and the rest of the Impact squad to defend properly, let alone setting up strong attacking plays.

In some cases, you get mental blunders, or players simply trying to do too much which end up causing scoring chances fir the opposition which was definitely the case in both Rhino goals.

In stoppage time (yes, again) Impact ‘keeper Srdjan Djekanovic collided with teammate Stephen DeRoux while jumping up to capture a free kick volley into the box, bobbled the ball and the half ended with the Rhinos up 1-nil, and the two Montreal players yelling at each other as they walked off the field.

Rochester’s 2nd (and game winning) came on a play that saw rarely used Tyler Hemming flub a tap-back to his keeper which resulted in an easy turnover and consequent goal for the Rhinos. You had to feel for the young midfielder who, you know would have liked that opportunity back.

Nevertheless, the Impact’s defensive blunders put the team in a hole their offense can not seem to get them out of these days. For whatever reason.

The one bright spot: Reda Agourram, who entered the match in the 55th minute, reduced the Rhinos lead to one goal when he headed a cross form midfielder Filipe Soares during the second half stoppage time.  This was Agourram’s first goal and point as a member of the Impact, but it was too little, too late for the team that is one game away from the midway point of the season and may find themselves on the outside looking in from a playoff spot in the newly formed USSF D-2 League

On the brighter side of things, One will remember that the Impact went through much turmoil, changes and tirals in the first part of last season and turned it around right about the midway point of the calendar to rally back and win the USL championships. Time will tell.

Please read the official Impact game recap.
 

Tags: Adam Braz \ Cedric Joqueviel \ Hicham Aboubou \ Montreal Impact \ NASL \ Rochester Rhinos \ soccer \ Stefano Pesoli \ Stephen deRoux \ Tyler Hemming \ USSF