Aug 12 Montreal Impact Make it 2 In A Row As They Beat Rochester 1-0

The Montreal Impact faced off against one of their storied rivals tonight, the Rochester Rhinos. The Rhinos, who, after beating the Impact 2-0 on July 27th, haven't won since and were looking to change their fate. The Impact, fresh of a 2-0 win of their own, would have to compete without a lengthy list of starters. Out of the line-up with injuries were Mauro Biello (wrist, heel), Adam Braz (thigh), Nevio Pizzolitto (back), Gabriel Gervais (thigh) and Rocco Placentino (knee).

Add to the missing Impact list newcomer Félix Brillant who is serving a game suspension for his ejection against the Railhawks as well as Roberto Brown, who is still serving a league imposed 3 game suspension for his infraction and game ejection incurred against these same Rhinos.

The Impact, however pulled together as a team, with the offense doing their part in the first half and the defense doing theirs in the second as the Impact went forward and defeated the Rhinos 1-0

The game began the best way the Impact could have hoped for when they scored their first goal with only 9 minutes having expired. Severino Jefferson took a very quick free kick just outside the Rhinos 18 and fed it to Patrick Leduc who took a wicked shot that caught 'keeper Scott Vallon going the wrong way, yet made a partial save that bounced upwards off the crossbar and back down to Midfielder Tony Donatelli who came crashing to the net and headed the ball in easily. Donatelli's 1st goal as a member of the Impact was only the 2nd time this season that the team managed to score a goal within the 10 minute mark.

At the other end, Impact goaltender Matt Jordan saw very little action and did not touch the ball until the 36th minute which could in part explain his tentative approach to the ball when it was crossed into the penalty area and saw Jordan fumble the catch. The Rhinos thought they had a goal when Matthew Delicate pounced on Jordan's miscue and put it in the back of the net, only to have the goal called back due to a foul called just prior to Delicate's touch. When asked about this fumble and ensuing foul, Jordan spoke of the incident indicating that he was, in fact fouled and that this is Rochester's style of play

Another close call for the Impact came in the 39th minute when Forward John Menyongar took a passed ball from centre and zipped past all Montreal mid-fielders, then he undressed the 2 remaining Impact defenders and let a shot go that would have had Jordan beat, but is sailed just wide.

The Impact had the luxury of heading into the 2nd half with a lead, something they have only been able to achieve 3 times this season prior to tonight. This statistic proved to be in their favor as they increased their streak to 4-0 after leading at the half.

Jordan was much busier in this half. He was forced to make a diving punch save on a Rhinos free-kick after the impact was called for a hand ball. The real action didn't heat up for Jordan, however until the 79th minute when a bullet off the foot of Delicate rattled off the crossbar. A minute later, a cross from Luke Kraemalmeyer sailed dangerously into the penalty area right in front of Jordan, who surely thanked his defender, Dany Uwimana who won the one on one battle against a determined Andrew Gregor and booted the ball out of harm's way.

Game notes:

Midfielder Patrick Leduc who had an assist as well as a few scoring chances, was named player of the game. My post-game on the pitch interview had him giving his take on the game as well as the upcoming contest in Portland.

With this 1-0 win, Matt Jordan recorded his 7th shutout of the season.

Despite short notice in the schedule change, 10,137 fans attended tonight's game which was dubbed fan appreciation night with all tickets on sale for only $10.

On a side note, prior to tonight's game, the Montreal Impact had placed tonight's game under protest on account of a suspension that had not yet been served by the Rhinos Andrew Gregor. Gregor who had accumulated 5 yellow cards, had to serve a 1 game suspension no later than 7 days after the last infraction, but the Rhinos appealed this decision resulting in Gregor playing until the appeal is heard. Techniacl director Nick De Santis explained that the USL rules were quite clear in this matter.

With this win the Impact accumulate 25 points and move into 8th place. If the status quo is maintained in the rest of the USL, their next win could very well see them in 7 place and within a playoff spot. That win could come as soon as this Saturday as they head to Portland to meet the Timbers at PGE Park.

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