Aug 23 Impact Defeat Atlanta 3-1 And Remain In Playoff Contention

Playing their 200th home game in franchise history in front of a sold out crowd, the Montreal Impact played the second of a two game series against the Atalanta Silverbacks who were fresh off their second consecutive loss after falling to Rochester 2-0 last evening.

While the Impact could perhaps take advantage of a tired Atlanta team, they had their own injury issues to deal with.Going into this evening's event, they had, among others, D Adam Braz, D Gabriel Gervais, M Rocco Placentino, M Patrick Leduc and M Mauro Biello on the IR. With every game going forward being a crucial one, and the first CONCACAF Champion's League game against Real Esteli next Wednesday, one would hope that these gentlemen heal quickly. The good news is that newly acquired Gason Gregory and Peter Byers received their international transfer and are now eligible to play for the Impact.

The Impact would end the first half 1-0  but not before both sides had their fair share of chances. The Silverbacks, seemingly fatigued after playing their second game in 2 night, played accordingly and allowed the Impact the first goal of the night at the 11th minute. Sandro Grande from outside the 18, let a shot rip that sent Atlanta keeper Ryan McIntosh leaping to punch it away, except in doing so, it landed on Félix Brillant's boot and he deftly crossed it through the crease to Roberto Brown who headed it in for his 4th of the season and second in 2 games.

Roberto Brown had a great opportunity squandered when he broke in alone at the 18th minute but was accosted by McIntosh and lost control of the ball. No call. Matt Jordan had to make a key save to keep his team ahead when at the 30th minute, Aaron Paye let a bulet go for a seemingly sure goal, but  

Jordan

leaped to tip it off the crossbar and out of play. At the 38th, the Impact missed taking a 2-0 lead when very deep inside the box, Tony Donatelli, beat the last defender and crossed the ball over to a waiting Joey Gjertsen who, instead of one-timing it, deked 'keeper McIntosh out and kicked into what appeared to be a wide open net. That was until an  

Atlanta

defender showed up out of nowhere and saved the day.

Atlanta

brought the best game they could and seemingly had a common goal: rough up anyone in sight. At a certain point in the game, several Impact players simply gave up the ball after being flagrantly fouled but not being observed by any of the 4 refs on the field...ever. Credit midfielder Greg Chevalier for full points in this department as he was the instigator of many uncalled fouls, including a shoulder check to Roberto Brown inside the box that the ref, again, did not see.

In the second half, The skies opened, the rain poured, the thunder crashed...and the Impact kept on coming. In just the 1st minute of play, Tony Donatelli, deep inside the box saw his effort carom off two defendersrolling just wide of the net. 5 minutes later, the Impact, taking advantage of a tired, listless Silverback team, had their way with the Atlanta defenders when Roberto Brown fed a streaking Felix Brillant who chipped it past 'keeper Mcintosh for his 1st of the season, putting the Impact up 2-0.

One would think that the refs must have heard me typing, chastising them for their obvious non calls, for as coincidence would have it, on the very next foulGreg Chevalier would commit, he received a yellow card for it. With the Silverbacks toning down their aggressive play after this call, the Impact was able to attack on the ball even more, resulting in another Impact goal at the 79th, when Antonio Ribeiro (replacing Joey Gjertsen) raced downfield and fed Felix Brillant who made it look so effortless as he lifted one past the Atlanta 'keeper making it 3-0 Montreal.

The Impact, although leaving the pitch with a win, did get taught a valuable lesson, when in the 90th minute, got sloppy and perhaps lazy, and Atlanta took full advantage as Matt Bobo found the back of the Impact net, robbing Matt Jordan of his 8th shutout of the year. Interviewed seconds after the game, Jordan had this to say about the last minute slip up, just before storming off to the dressing room.

Game notes :

- Player of the game with 2 goals and one assist: Félix Brillant. Hear his comments

- Simon Gatti received his 5th caution of the season during this game and will have to serve a 1 game suspension 7 days from tonight.

- Severino Jefferson, will be back in the line-up next game, as he served his 1 game suspension for his cautions this evening.

- After nearly not playing due to administrative issues, both Gason Gregory and Peter Byers got a chance to play. Gregory replaced Tony Donatelli and Byers replaced Roberto Brown in the second half. I had a chance to catch up with Byers on the pitch.

- With this win, the Impact are in sole possession of 7th place and only 1 point out of 6th, occupied by this same Atalanta team. How important were these last 6 points?!

NEXT GAMES
• Wednesday, August 27 – Real Esteli @ IMPACT – 8 pm CONCACAF Champions League
• Saturday, August 30 – IMPACT @ Carolina – 7:30 pm

• Tuesday, September 2 – IMPACT @ Real Esteli FC – 10 pm *CONCACAF Champions League

Tags: Atlanta-Silverbacks \ atlanta \ August-24th-2008 \ contention \ defeat \ Felix-Brillant \ impact \ Matt-Jordan \ Montreal-Impact \ playoff \ remain \ Roberto-Brown \ Saputo-Stadium \ soccer \ USL