May 14 USL - Montreal Impact Play To a Nil-Nil Draw Against Charelston Battery

The evening had all the elements to make it a perfect night for Montreal soccer fans : Sunny, warm, a packed Saputo Stadium with the "Ultras Montreal" section leading the cheers and perhaps the added incentive to win one for the new coach, Marco Dos Santos, in his innaugural game in the driver's seat. 

The Impact took to the pitch merely hours after a press scrum was held by team President Joey Saputo as well as Executive Vice President of the Impact and Saputo Stadium Richard Legendre to announce that plans for both the MLS and the French Champions Trophy developments were progressing swimmingly and that news for both would be forthcoming as soon as two weeks from now.

With all the news that the Impact had been making, both good and not so good, a win would surely be a cure to whatever was ailing the team chemistry as of late and the Impact had to attempt this feat against the Charleston Battery, who are undefeated (2-0-3) in their first six starts. While dominating for nearly ninety minutes, the Impact would, in the end, have to settle for a 0-0 draw, but with something to build on for their effort.

The first half was rather tentative on both teams' parts. Charleston playing a tight, conservative road game and the Impact, seemingly not wanting to commit the first error and give up the go-ahead goal to their opponents. Montreal would get a golden opportunity in the 29th minute when Sandro Grande crossed a ball into the Charleston box on a corner kick and Eduardo Sebrango's header caromed off the crossbar and out. Montreal would gain momentum and confidence as the game would go on, with play being in the Charleston zone for most of the half. With some attempts at a goal resulting with the ball squirming out of the 18, the Impact were unable to get a heavy foot to sail the ball home, reminding the Impact of the Importance of getting Patrick Leduc  and his big boot back in the line-up. But the half would end with the Impact controlling, but with a nil-nil result.

 The second half provided the 12,180 in attendance with more of the same play as in the first. Montreal skipper Marco Dos Santos would make the league maximum 5 substitutions in an effort to stimulate the offence and perhaps add to the extra time as the Impact desparately wanted their first win of the season but while the Impact were unable to mount any real offence, while Charleston played a perfect road game and extended their unbeaten streak to seven games. The Impact tied a franchise record for the worst start since 2001 where they were winless in their first five. They can take solace in the fact this season's record, with their two ties, gives them two points more than in 2001.

To their credit, however, the Impact, in contrast to the last game versus Toronto FC, they played with passion, were comitted and dominated most of the 90 minutes. "You saw a team that wanted to win" said Interim coach Marco Dos Santos. "We didn't get the result we wanted, but you can see that if we keep this effort up, the wins will come."

Montreal's next games are Sunday, May 17 where they will host the Austin Aztex and then they will continue on their quest for the Nutrilite Championship with a home and away series against Vancouver starting with Wednesday, May 20 in Motreal and then Wednesday, May 27 in Vancouver.

Tags: charleston battery \ Eduardo Sebrango \ Marco Dos Santos \ Matt Jordan \ May 15 2009 \ Montreal Impact \ Sandro Grande \ score \ soccer \ USL