USL - Rochester Rhinos Play Spoilers Defeating Montreal Impact 2-1 In Home Opener
12,246 fans filled Saputo Stadium to cheer on their home team as they made their way back home after an 0-2-1 start on the road. The Impact were looking to add to the statistic that had the Impact going 10-1-4 in their last 15 home openers. The Impact, with many returning members as well as a few new faces took to the field, scored first and then had their work cut out for them as Rochester capitalized on their chances and came storming back. When all was said and done, the Impact would go on to lose their home opener by a score of 2-1 bringing their winless streak to 4.
It didn't take much time for the home crowd to come to their feet. At the 6th minute, a give and go between Adam Braz and Eduardo Sebrango heading into the 18, saw a streaking Rocco Placentino receive the ball and upon reception, he pelted a high bending ball that quite simply beat Rochester 'keeper Scott Vallow, who despite diving, really had no chance on the play.
Zanzan, Kevin Sakuda and Eduardo Sebrango were introduced for the first time this season in an Impact uniform at home. Sebrango, however, had already played this past year, but in the CONCACF championship series.
After 20 minutes of back and forth play with many whistles due to rather robust play from both sides, the Rhinos would even up the score on a weird turn of events. During a throw-in play, the Impact defenders as well as 'keeper Matt Jordan got caught out of position and Jordan's tentativeness resulted in the ball seeing its way to the back of the net. Chris Nurse was credited with the goal. Montreal would try a few attempts to regain the lead with Placentino having his share of the opportunities, however good overall defending and in particular, that of John Ball who thwarted all of Placentino's rush attempts down the left side, left the Impact stymied. To add insult to injury, Tiger Fitzpatrick scored exactly at the 45th minute to put the Rhinos in the lead, heading into the second half.
The second half was all Montreal as they would try many tactics to try and even the score with Placentno again leading the way with attempts on goal, but the Rhinos were equal to the task. In an attempt to shake things up, Impact coach John Limniatis would substitute Tony Donatelli for Forward Joey Gjertsen and Zanzan for Forward Peter Byers but to no avail.
Although Montreal was more aggressive in this half, they appeared to be either a step behind, or a step ahead of the play. In either case, there seemed to be no synchronicity in the set plays which resulted in missed chances or easy saves for the Rochester 'keeper. Despite Matt Jordan's shaky start, he did his part to keep his team in it, specifically when the Impact got caught on a 3 on 1 which resulted in a quality high shot on net which Jordan had to leap to his right to snag. But in the end, it was all for naught as the Impact forwards were unable to provide the equalizer, let alone the go ahead goal. Post game interviews had me hearing the same quotes from both coach and players alike: "It was a lucky goal they got to tie the game". Coach Limniatis was insistent that his team had not played a full 90 minutes and the only way to win games is to do so on a consistent basis
The Impact will now have to regroup as they have a busy week ahead of them with a trip to Toronto for their first matchup against Toronto FC in the Canadian Nutrilite Championship series, then it's back home on Friday for a rematch against the Charleston Battery and then back at it again on Sunday against one of the new additions to the USL; the Austin Aztex.
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