Aug 04 Impact Held Their Own in 2-1 Shootout Loss To River Plate

Many expected the Impact to be literally schooled against such a world class opponent. Many thought that if Montreal fell into an early hole, they were as good as done. Many were pleasantly surprised and all who braved the downpour at Saputo Stadium were treated to a very exciting soccer game that ended in a dramatic shootout that saw the Impact defeated by a final score of 2-1.

As the announcement was being made at approximately the 20th minute that the paid attendance was 11,738, it was at about this precise time that the torrential downpour and lightening began. One could soon see the attendance start to dwindle as fans who were not prepared for the weather started heading for their cars.

Then moments later, at the 21st minute, Christian Fabbiani opened the score for River Plate on a cross from the right flank from defender Maximiliano Coronel that was then headed by midfielder Diego Buonanotte in the six-yard area. On a play that appeared to freeze Matt Jordan as he hesitated to leave his mark to retrieve the ball, Fabbiani pounced with a strike before Jordan could get to it and with that, more fans proceeded for the exits.

But the o nes who stayed were treated to some great action that saw the Impact never surrender, especially when they realized that they could play against this team. Roberto Brown scored the tying goal at the 64th minute. Ciaran Obrien and Rocco Placentino figured in the play and eventually relayed the ball to Brown, who despite being blocked by a River Plate defender, managed to fire a low shot keenly placed to the right of goalkeeper Gonzalo Marinelli. The Impact then proceeded to play very well at both ends of the field as both teams were trying to end this before the inevitable shootout, but it was not to be.

In the end, the crapshoot that was the shootout saw River Plate score 3 goals to Montreal's 1 and the game was over. Regardless of the outcome, a great time was had by all as this was the first shootout at Saputo Stadium.

Shooters for the shootout were as follows:

RIVER PLATE :
Abelairas – goal
Ferrari – goal
Bou – goal
Lamela - save

IMPACT :
Pizzolitto – goal
Braz – save
Di Lorenzo – missed
Sebrango - missed

Not a bad showing for the Impact who not only recently held their own against FC Bordeaux in a 2-1 regulation loss, but now managed to bring a team that has won 33 Argentinean championships and five international cups since its foundation in 1901 to a shootout decision.

The Montreal Impact now has 11 games left in their USL schdule and have some ground to catch if they want to make it to the post season. They will hope to start that climb against the Minnesota Thunder, at Saputo Stadium, at 3:30 pm (Radio-Canada, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, USLlive.com).

pic by photos pépé

Tags: Argentina \ August 4 2009 \ Christian Fabbiani \ Diego Buonanotte \ final \ Leonardo Di Lorenzo \ Montreal Impact \ result \ River Plate \ Roberto Brown \ score \ soccer game