HIGHLIGHTS
16th minute - Miami midfielder Zinho takes a free kick from outside the box, and hits the crossbar, to the left of Impact goalkeeper Greg Sutton. The rebound is headed by Miami but is blocked by Impact defender Gabriel Gervais, with his head.
26th minute - Following a turnover by midfielder Patrick Leduc, Mario Rodriguez rushes in alone on goalkeeper Greg Sutton. The Montreal goalkeeper makes the save by coming out of his net and smothering the ball at Rodriguez’ feet.
27th minute - Impact midfielder Zé Roberto must leave the game because of a bloody nose, and is substituted by Masahiro Fukasawa. Minutes later, Fukasawa suffers a foot injury and must be replaced by Mesut Mert.
41st minute - The Impact’s best scoring chance of the first half: Impact midfielder Antonio Ribeiro takes a shot from 20 metres out which sails just over the crossbar.
43rd minute - Following a centering pass from midfielder Leonardo Di Lorenzo to the far post, forward Mauro Biello takes a shot from 18 meters just wide, to the right of goalkeeper Chris Doyle.
58th minute – Biello receives a back-pass from forward Mauricio Salles and takes a low shot from the top of the box that grazes the post, to the right of Miami goalkeeper Doyle.
60th minute – Following a failed attempt to clear the ball by Sutton, Miami FC midfielder Sean Fraser takes a long shot from 45 metres out, but misses the net, as Sutton was out of his goal.
NOTES
• It was goalkeeper Greg Sutton’s first shutout of the season and his 59th overall with the Impact.
• Defender Gabriel Gervais played his 100th career game with the Impact.
• Nevio Pizzolitto, who was nursing a stomach flu since he arrived in training camp in Florida April 18, was on the starting lineup. He played the 90 minutes of the game.
POST-GAME COMMENTS
NICK DE SANTIS:
"It’s a good result, given that the heat was an important factor. After a difficult first half, we came back in the second with better ball control. The Miami forwards caused us some problems, but we’ve proved once again that we have one of the best defenses in the league."
Nick De Santis
MAURO BIELLO:
"Generally speaking, we have to be pleased with our performance in this first game. We played well defensively to prevent the Miami forwards to score. We have to take the positive elements from this game. In the first half, we were playing a bit on our heels because we would lose the ball too often in the midfield, but when we regained control of the game, we were able to create some good scoring chances. We’re already looking ahead and we’ll get prepared for the next game."
Mauro Biello
GABRIEL GERVAIS:
"Sure, we’re a little disappointed because we knew what game to expect. Miami played like we thought they would but we weren’t good enough to beat them. Our play was a little rusty, so it will be important to see the video of the game to quickly correct what didn’t work. Our next opponent, Puerto Rico, will be even tougher."
Gabriel Gervais
GREG SUTTON:
"The game was not easy. We’ll have to work harder to be better. This was our first real test and a tie is a good result. We have to keep our heads high because we have new players on the team and the period of adaptation will take some time."
Greg Sutton
THE IMPACT OF THE RESULT
The Impact now boasts a lifetime record of six wins, five losses and two ties in season opening games. Last year, the Impact played to a 1-1 tie against the Puerto Rico Islanders, April 29.
MISSING FROM THE LINE-UP
Team - Player - Position - Reason
MTL - Kirk Wilson – M – ankle injury
MIA – Romario – F – visa
MIA – Diego Walsh – M - visa
MIA – Stéphane Guillaume – D - visa
IMPACT LINE-UP
Greg Sutton, Gabriel Gervais, Nevio Pizzolitto, Mauricio Vincello, Adam Braz, Patrick Leduc, Leonardo Di Lorenzo, Zé Roberto (Masahiro Fukasawa 27, Mesut Mert 39, Jason DiTullio 80), Antonio Ribeiro, Mauro Biello, Mauricio Salles (Daniel Antoniuk 65)
MIAMI LINE-UP
Chris Doyle, Allen Handy, Mike Erush, J.P. Rodrigues, Oscar Gil (Tre Lee 45), John Pulido, Fabian Sandoval (Luc Harrington 90), Walter Ramirez (Pedro Power 90), Zinho, Mario Rodriguez, Yaikel Perez (Sean Fraser 45)
STATS – MTL – MIA
Shots: 10-13
Saves: 2-4
Fouls: 18-13
Offsides: 0-3
Corners: 7-2
CAUTIONS
MIA: Fabian Sandoval 7
MTL: Nevio Pizzolitto 18
MIA: Mario Rodriguez 24
MTL: Antonio Ribeiro 66
MTL: Mauricio Vincello 76
NEXT GAMES
Date – Teams – Stadium – Time – Broadcast
• Sun. April 30 - Impact @ Puerto Rico - Juan Ramon Loubriel Stadium - 5:00 pm
• Sat. May 13 Impact @ Charleston Blackbaud Stadium 7:30 pm - CJAD, Sport Plus XM-172
• Sun. May 14 Impact @ V. Beach Virginia Beach Sportsplex 7:30 pm - CJAD, Sport Plus XM-172
• Sun. May 21 Minnesota @ Impact Claude-Robillard Sports Complex 4 :00 pm – CJAD, Sport Plus XM-172
OFFICIALS
Ricardo Salazar, Adam Nehme, Fernando Iturriaga, Reggie Rutty
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Source : Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info : 514-328-3668 (ext. 27)
