Officiating Bad, Impact Good.
Despite an evening of questionable calls and even more questionable non calls, the Montreal Impact managed a 1-0 extra time victory over the Vancouver Whitecaps and secured a spot no lower than 6th in the USL Standings.
It is very safe to say that Montreal dominated this game from start to finish. They ended the game the same way they started; with passion, speed and above all else, a hunger for the win. They wanted it more. What everyone else in attendance wanted was some decent officiating.
Although regular time in both halves was scoreless, Montreal had the lion's share of chances throughout the match including one at the 27th minute when on n a pass from Eduardo Sebrango, Roberto Brown fired a low point blank shot to the near post, but Whitecaps 'keeper, Jay Nolly made the save with his feet. And at the 40th minute - on an individual effort, Joey Gjertsen fired a high shot from inside the box that went just above the goal.
Srdjan Djekanovic, replacing Matt Jordan who is out with back spasms, stood out in the few instances he was tested, including the 71st minute when he made a great save against Whitecaps midfielder Nizar Khalfan’s powerful strike.
And just when it looked like both teams would have to settle for a nil-nil draw, it was recent scoring machine, Peter Byers who set Saputo Stadium off as he scored on an impressive effort that saw him manoeuvre through three Whitecaps players before ripping a powerful low shot to the far right post, beating Nolly to his left. The goal being scored in extra time of the second half.
Byers came into the game in the second half, replacing Eduardo Sebrango who suffered a hand injury in the first half. No news on the gravity of the injury, however early reports had the hand as being broken.
This goal was ever so sweet for the Impact who not only saw a previous goal be disallowed as the official declared a foul was called (even though the foul was against Vancouver, but don't get me started on that).. But only moments later NO call was made when Byers found himself in the penalty zone and was basically mauled by at least 2 defenders and Jay Nolly in a battle for ball possesion, eventually sending Byers down to the ground.. Fans, media and players alike were calling for justice, but none was to be had.. The fans who had not already started heading for the exits in disgust at the officiating, were all standing and booing at the flagrant lack of quality in tonight's officiating crew.
The only time the on field official did reach into his pocket to pull out a yellow card was at the 85th minute, when, presumably, after expressing his feelings to the ref, Defender Nevio Pizzolitto received his 8th yellow card of the season for his efforts and will now have to serve an automatic two-game suspension.
The Impact have two remaining games in their regular season schedule with their last home game coming this Sunday against the Minnesota Thunder who are already well out of playoff contention. They then head out to Carolina to face the Railhawks and can theoretically, if all scenario's are met, finish as high as 4th or as low as 6th for the first round of the USL Playoffs.
The Impact has already announced that tickets for the quarterfinal home game go on sale as of Friday September 11th at 10AM
pic by photos pépé
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