Apr 26 Impact Break 3-Game Losing and Scoreless Streak With 1-1 Draw Against Timbers

The Montreal Impact had their work cut out for them during their sold out  (13, 034) home opener against the mighty Portland Timbers yesterday afternoon at the magnificent Saputo Stadium. 

While wanting to earn a first win of the season (they previously lost to Austin by a score of 2-0)  they were also looking to at least score a goal against a Portland team that was very stingy in that department. 

They say “you can’t win ‘em all”, but the Impact showed resolve, perseverance and got that come-from-behind goal (via penalty kick) to tie the Timbers by a score of 1-1. 

Team captain Nevio Pizzolitto got the lone goal towards the end of the game allowed the Impact to play to a 1-1 draw against the Portland Timbers, during Montreal’s 17th home season opener in club history. 

Since 1993, the Impact boasts a 10-2-4 lifetime record during its home openers, however this was counterbalanced by a lifetime record of 3-8-2 (6GF – 15GA) against their American rivals. Add to this the fact that Portland was picking up right where it left off last season (enjoying a 24 game unbeaten streak) and winning their first two games of this season by way of shut-outs.

Coach Marc Dos Santos, in his post game interview was lukewarm about the come from behind result, stating that his team had the talent to win every game, if they wouldshow up to battle every night. 

“I am happy that we equalized and we will take the point, but I am not fully satisfied with the result. At home, we need to win and be ready to go to war. A point is good, but it’s not sufficient. We need to be stronger than the opponent. It’s a very similar match to the one we played against Portland here last year, but today we were able to react and find solutions, so it was positive. Both teams worked hard, but we need to be able to get results.”

After a scoreless first half that saw the Impact have the lion’s share of chances, the Timbers opened the score at the 67th minute when team leading scorer Ryan Pore dribbled the Impact defense and laced a low shot inside the 18-yard box to the far post that beat goalkeeper Matt Jordan to his right.

Then at the 81st minute, with the Impact pressing, a penalty was drawn inside the Timbers’ penalty area and Pizzolitto scored on the ensuing kick, catching Timbers goalkeeper Steve Cronin going the wrong way on a low kick to the left side. Pizzolitto registered his 10th career goal with the Impact.

With this draw, the Impact has now ended a three game losing and scoreless streak against the Timbers, who looked intent on showing the defending champs that they are a force to be reckoned with this season..

This game has surely set the tone for both teams who did not alow the other any chance to intimidate. A total of eight cautions were awarded during the game, four for each team.  

The Impact will play its next game Wednesday against Toronto FC, at BMO Field in Toronto, in its first game of the Nutrilite Canadian Championship (8 pm, Sportsnet). In speaking to some of the Impact players, this series, as well as the eventual entry into the CONCACAF tournament is a high prioirity for the team

“We will arrive motivated for the match against Toronto Wednesday,” mentioned Dos Santos. “We have some adjustments to make as our defensive line was too wide and we gave too much space in the midfield today. We have two days to work on these aspects of the game.”

The team’s next regular season home game will be Saturday, May 1, against the Puerto Rico Islanders, at Saputo Stadium (2:30 pm, Radio-Canada, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, radio-canada.ca/sports).

Tags: concacaf \ game recap \ Marc dos santos \ Montreal Impact \ NASL \ Nevio Pizzolitto \ Nutrilite \ Portland timbers \ Ryan Pore \ soccer \ USL \ USSF