“Today’s result is fair," said Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. "The game was played pieces by pieces, with good sequences from both teams. We fought and we created good opportunities. Unfortunately, we played with anxiety. We wanted to do well so hard that it influenced our decision-making and our quality of play. We have to put some heart in everything we do and show passion in our stadium. I hope it’s only a start at this level. We now have to prepare the team mentally and get back in confidence for our next game against Edmonton."
Impact goalkeeper Evan Bush, who started his second regular season game, earned his first career shutout with the Impact, stopping seven shots in the game.
He stopped a point blank shot from midfielder Yoximar Granado from the corner of the 18-yard box, at the 15th minute before blocking a hard shot from forward Abe Thompson, coming on a breakaway, at the 26th minute.
“It’s good to get the clean sheet, but we have to start finding ways to have the results we want, whether it’s scoring one or two goals," said Bush. “I thought we came out strong in the first 50 minutes."
“We can’t be satisfied with a tie at home when we had several good scoring chances," added midfielder Anthony Le Gall. "It’s not usual to end a game like today without a goal. We did play hard throughout the game and it’s positive for the upcoming games.”
The Impact finished the game with 13 shots and several scoring opportunities. At the 12th minute, striker Mignane Diouf escaped on the right side of the pitch, following a long pass from midfielder Leonard Di Lorenzo. His shot was then deflected by Strikers goalkeeper Matt Glaeser, who saw the ball rolling near the goal line before defender Martyn Lancaster slided in to boot it away from the goal line.
Montreal missed on another great scoring opportunity at the 60th minute when Glaeser stopped a great chance from Reda Agourram. Following a cross from midfielder Leonardo Di Lorenzo, teammate Anthony Le Gall made a bicycle kick to the second post that was completed by a diving header from Agourram. The ball was then stopped at the goal line by Glaeser.
Then, at the 89th minute, defender Hicham Aaboubou, standing at the far post, headed a corner from defender Zurab Tsiskaridze just above the crossbar.
Montreal remains unbeaten at home against the Floridian club, now holding a record of three wins and five ties in eight games.
The Strikers have not lost in their last five games, since May 11, recording two wins and three ties.
Impact goalkeeper Bill Gaudette (ankle), defenders Richard Pelletier (thigh) and Nevio Pizzolitto (hip), midfielder Luke Kreamalmeyer (foot) and striker Ali Gerba (knee) missed the game due to injury.
Leonardo Di Lorenzo reached 10,000 regular-season minutes with the Impact, becoming the 11th Impact player in team history to reach this mark.
The team will now visit FC Edmonton on Sunday, June 26, before playing its next home game at Saputo Stadium against the Puerto Rico Islanders, on June 29, at 7:30pm (Radio-Canada, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, radio-canada.ca/sports). Tickets for this game are still available through Admission Network (admission.com / 514-790-1245) or at Saputo Stadium’s ticketing office.
On another note, the Saputo family and the Montreal Impact will take part tomorrow to the 5th edition of the Procure Walk of Courage, at Ile Ste-Hélène. Mr. Saputo Sr. will act as Honourary Co-President of the event alongside Mayor Gérald Tremblay. Procure helps fight prostate cancer through research, information and public awareness. For more information: procure.ca.
Note also that the Impact U21 will host Capital City FC tomorrow, at 1pm at Marie-Victorin Complex.
NEXT THREE GAMES
• Sunday, June 26 – IMPACT @ FC Edmonton – Foote Field – 6pm
• Wednesday, June 29 – Puerto Rico Islanders @ IMPACT – Saputo Stadium – 7:30pm
• Saturday, July 3 – IMPACT @ Carolina RailHawks – WakeMed Soccer Park – 7pm
GAME SUMMARY
Tweet
