USL - Montreal Impact Top Miami FC 1-0, Jump to 5th Place in USL Standings
The 12,676 fans that poured into Saputo Stadium watched on as Miami FC played a solid road game, keeping Montreal relatively to the outside and out of the offensive third for most of the game. While Montreal controlled the ball well, they were not able to penetrate Miami's defense deep enough to pose any offensive threat and the fans waited for something, anything to happen. Well, it took 80 minutes but that something came in the way of a Nevio Pizzolitto goal which sealed the victory for the Montreal Impact, much to the delight of all those looking for a happy ending.
Pizzolitto scored his first goal of the season by deflecting the ball with a header, from inside the box off a corner kick from midfielder Sandro Grande. This was his first goal since June 28, 2006.
Montreal did get some chances before Pizzolitto's marker. At the 8th minute, Joey Gjertsen intercepted a Miami pass and showed up all alone in front of goalkeeper Pat Hannigan. Gjertsen attempted to dribble the ball around the 'keeper, but Hannigan stretched his arm to seize the ball.
At the 29th minute marker Sandro Grande was given a free kick opportunity at the edge of the box and fired a high shot that sailed just over the Miami FC goal. And at the 69th minute StephendeRoux showed signs of impressive foot skills, deking out three Miami players on an offensive drive but was pushed inside the box and the play was whistled down.
Impact 'keeper Matt Jordan quietly recorded his fourth shutout of the season and the Impact, who have now won 5 of their last 7 games, and were recently bottom dwellers in the USL standings, are now in 5th place overall and with a few more consecutive wins, could conceivably vie for the top spot, and quickly.
"If I were a fan, I would be disappointed with the action tonight," said Impact coach Marc Dos Santos. "But we were playing our third game in six days, and there comes a point when the mental and physical fatigue starts to build up. But I think our poor performance against Toronto has motivated the team, because we have since earned six points on a possibility of six in the last two home games."
Making is way back onto the pitch after having missed 13 regular season games, heading back to last season was player-coach Mauro Biello, who came in to replace Roberto Brown right after the Impact goal. "It felt great! I felt like an 8 year old kid out there" said Biello who went on to say that he had to catch his breath at first but eased into the pace rather quickly.
Montreal's next game will be played next Sunday, June 28th in Portland, where the Impact will face some hefty competition from the 4th place Timbers.
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