Jul 17 Montreal Impact Start 2nd Half of the Sesason Well, Beat Miami 3-1

Game 16. The first game of the 2nd half of the season. The Montreal Impact found themselves on the outside looking in with regards to the potential post season. Going into tonight's game, they were dead last in the USL standings, five points out of 7th place, the last playoff spot. The Impact, in their last 9 regular season games have gone 2-4-3, for a total of 9 points out of a possible 27. Miami FC, on the other hand, have gone unbeaten in that same span and had only allowed 1 goal against during that run. Looking at the difference in the two team's recent runs,it was no coincidence that the team the Impact met tonight was, in fact the holder of that coveted 7th place. The Impact, however, found a way to overcome those odds and not only scored, but scored often going on to beat Miami 3-1

Montreal's offense, usually very active and aggressive in the early goings was a bit reticent at first and it was, in fact, Miami who got the first good chance of the game at the 7th minute when forward Sean Fraser came in on 'keeper Matt Jordan who had to make a leaping save to keep the score tied. This seemingly awoke the Impact forwards who got quite a few chances of their own but the shots were not on net. Defender Nevio Pizzolitto saved a sure chance at the 20th minute with a sliding interception on Sean Fraser who was streaking in alone on Jordan.

The 12,913 strong that attended the evening's game were then faced with a bittersweet moment when they would witness the first penalty kick at Saputo Stadium. Matt Jordan had almost no choice but to tackle the ever tenacious Sean Fraser who once again found himself past all defenders and in on Jordan who was assessed a yellow card for his effort.

To take the penalty shot was the USL's current leading scorer, Alex Alfonso, but he would not be able to make it 9 goals on the season as he punted the ball over the net as he lost his footing as he took the penalty kick, much to euphoria of the home crowd as well as Matt Jordan who could hardly contain himself after the miss.

The wake-up call was heard by all Impact players and the subsequent flurries features a plethora of attempts including a Patrick Leduc ripper form the 35 and a Joey Gjertson conversion of a Rocco Placentnio corner kick that forced Miami 'keeper Josh Saunders to make a diving save.

Karma finally caught up with the Impact and all the effort they had put forth in recent games. At the 44th minute a super blast from Severino Jefferson outside the 18 rattled off the post and before the crowd could comment on the near miss David Testo pounced on the rebound and booted the ball into the net past Saunders for the game's first goal. The Impact ended the half up 1-0

The second half brought a level of excitement that the Montreal crowd had not seen in a while with the two teams exchanging goals and the Impact finally potting an insurance goal before it was all done.

In the 59th, on a Miami corner kick None other than Sean Fraser rebounded the cross past Jordan on a goal he had no chance on. The difference this evening compared, perhaps to other nights, was that the Impact was not going to settle for a tie. it took only 6 minutes for, on what seemed like a harmless play just  outside the Miami box, a give and go type situation was played between Severino Jefferson and Roberto Brown and by the time the last give was given, Jefferson drilled it by Saunders and the impact was back up 2-1. The Impact would add to their lead at the 80th when the Impact, on their own corner kick opportunity, converted when Joey Gjertsen crossed over to a waiting Stefan Pesoli who popped his second of the year past Saunders, letting the air out of Miami's hopes for a comeback.

However, the game was not without it's defensive points. Nevio Pizzolitto acting team captain, led by example being aggressive on the ball and the opposing players, earning himself a yellow card before the night was through when he held Alex Alfonso as he rushed past the defender, breaking the play. Matt Jordan was true to form and kept his team in this game making key saves when he had to as well as participating in a 15 yard foot race inside the box against Sean Fraser who would have scored a sure goal had he gotten to the ball first. 

David Testo, when asked about his and the team's chances finally starting to pay off, said "We don't know what it was, but for some reason, our efforts paid off tonight. When asked about the next game against Toronto FCand  the Nutrilite championship match, "Wedidn't want to look too far ahead but this win will definitely give us some momentum going into that game.

"That game" sees the Impact heading to Toronto to play the final match of the series in order to determine who will advance in the CONCACAF Champion's league. A win or a tie qualifies the Impact to move on to meet the Nicaraguan champion in a home and away series. The Impact's regular season resumes shortly thereafter when they leave Toronto and head to Rochester where they will play the Rhinos on the 25th. They return to Montreal where they will play those same Rhinos, who as of this evenings result, are behind the Impact in the standings.

pix from photo pépé

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