May 18 Montreal Impact get a Shutout- So do the Whitecaps

The Montreal Impact took on the Vancouver Whitecaps this afternoon at the new Saputo Stadium and although the weather managed to dissuade approximately half of the 13,034 from showing up to root for their home team, it did not dampen the Impact's spirit as they imposed the pressure right from the get-go.

Unfortunately, the 1st half did not offer much in the way of goals or scoring chances, the Impact did control most of the game to this point with goaler Matt Jordan not touching the ball until the 14:52 mark of the half. Shortly thereafter, however a defensive slip inside the 18 resulted in Jordan making a nice airborne save to keep the score nil-nil.

At the 26 minute mark, Charles Gbeke tried to set up captain Mauro Biello with a nice downfield pass, but, in dramatic fashion, by the time Biello caught up to the ball, so had the Whitecaps defender who promptly put an end to that play.

One highlight of the game came during the halftime intermission when MLS commissioner Don Garber made himself available for questions regarding the Impact's chances at joining the MLS. As you know, Joey Saputo has been in negotiations with the Gillette Entertainment Group to look at viable options to make this a reality. Garber didn't mince his words, nor promise Montreal fans that this was a definite realty, but did say that Montreal was definitely a city that had potential to be  an MLS member.

Shortly after the start of the 2nd half,at the 53 minute mark, Mauro Biello is replaced by Sita-Taty Matondo just as the biggest Impact threat took place during a penalty kick that resulted in an onslaught of 3 kicks towards the net resulting in goalkeep Jay Nolly smothering the ball for a stoppage in play.

At the 70 minute mark, coach Nick De Santis, looking for some offensive freshness replaced Charles Gbeke  with newcomer Dwight Barnett. He was instantly semi rewarded when the team combined to set up Joey Gjertsen who ended up all alone in front of the Caps' goaltender, only to have the ball curve just outside the post. Seconds later, Barnett found himself winning a footrace with a Whitecaps defender and managed a kick but it also rolled wide.

Stefano Pesoli proved once again that the Impact made a good move acquiring him in the off-season as he saved a sure goal by kicking the ball out of play during a second effort by the Whitecaps forwards in the late goings.

Again looking for that spark, De Santis sent in Antonio Ribeiro for Joey Gjertsen and again, the Impact's aggressiveness resulted in a penalty kick when Dwight Barrett, providing most of the Impact's offense in the half, was tripped down. The ensuing kick resulted in nothing more than a blocked ball.

The Impact came close once again on a penalty kick when Pato Aguilera kicked a seeing eye ball that the Cap's goaltender had to be sharp to deflect and in the ensuing corner kick, in what seemed to be a total maul of Antonio Ribeiro inches in front of the net, ended up being called offside. De Santis, when questioned about the call commented that the ref did point to the penalty area but that one of the linesman had called an offside. The call being very questionable, De santis stopped short of complaining about the officiating, saying they would wait to view the tapes.

Although the pressure was high for a hometown win, the Impact team are to be applauded, as they were, for playing for the win, giving the faithful, water drenched fans an excellent soccer game despite the scoreless finish. Coach De Santis is to be commended on his use of the bench, especially in the second half, which did result in an Impact dominated back end.

The Saputo's are also to be congratulated for building a fine soccer stadium conducive to the game of soccer where every seat is a good one ( view-wise not weather-wise) and the field, which was subjected to probably the worst weather it will  endure all year which showed no visible flaws or puddles.

Last but not least, a special thanks should go out to all the fans who braved the elements and sat through the scoreless affair during a downpour that looked as if it would never end, but alas, as irony would have it, the moment the referee blew his whistle indicating the end of the game, the skies opened up and the sun came shining through.

Perhaps it is a sign that the next home game against the Portland Timbers will have a brighter ending. The Impact will also be playing Toronto FC at the Saputo Stadium on the 27th in game one of two for the qualifying rounds of the CONCACF championships. The Franchise will be there for both.

Tags: gasme \ Montreal Impact \ result \ score \ shutout \ soccer \ USL \ Vancouver Whitecaps