“There is no reason for the loss today,” said Impact head coach John Limniatis. “There was no energy so it’s understandable to have lost the game. We want to make the playoffs, but with games like today, it’s impossible. We took bad decisions both on attack and on defense.”
Rhinos midfielder Luke Kreamalmeyer opened the score in the 32nd minute. On the sequence, forward Johny Menyongar attempted centering the ball, but Impact defender Simon Gatti partially blocked it. Kreamalmeyer then took possession of the ball inside the box and beat Impact goalkeeper Matt Jordan with a low shot to his right.
Forward Matthew Delicate doubled the score for the visitors in the 40th minute. On the penalty spot, Delicate deflected with a header a centering pass from midfielder Andrew Gregor who was coming from the left wing, while Jordan had come up to clear the ball with his fist.
As of the 47th minute, the Impact was one man short on the field, after forward Roberto Brown was ejected from the game.
“We have made a lot of collective efforts but the scenario seems to repeat itself. We are provoking but unsuccessfully,” said defender Cédric Joqueviel. “It’s frustrating because we are going back to the same patterns of the beginning of the season. And to play with a forward missing, so only one striker, it makes things even more difficult to recover from behind.”
“We were second on every ball and we ran after players all game long. It was a tough game,” said defender Nevio Pizzolitto. “We tried our hardest but we did not get the result. We’ve got to stay confident because we have confidence right now. There are still a lot of games this season and plenty of points out there for us.”
The Impact dominated in shots on goal 31-12, after the two games against the Rhinos.
The Impact conceded a first goal in 15 games to the Rhinos in Montreal since July 23 2000.
For a 6th game this season, the Impact played in front of a sold out crowd at Saputo Stadium, having sold the 13,034 tickets available.
Prior to the game, the Impact presented to its fans the Voyageurs Cup, won Tuesday in Toronto, in the Nutrilite Canadian Championship.
The Impact will play its next game Friday, August 8 against the Carolina RailHawks, in Cary, North Carolina (7:30 pm, USLlive.com).
HIGHLIGHTS
21st minute – Forward Rhinos Johny Menyongar spun around and took a shot about 20 meters out that sailed just above the Impact’s net.
24th minute – After accepting a short pass from defender Cédric Joqueviel, midfielder Joey Gjertsen fired a 20-meter shot from the middle of the field, just above the opponent’s crossbar.
30th minute – Cédric Joqueviel made a centering pass to forward Severino Jefferson who deflected the ball with a header that went to the left of the Rhinos’ goal.
39th minute – Posted deep in Rhinos territory, defender Simon Gatti fired a shot that defender Scott Palguta blocked, while goalkeeper Scott Vallow was out of position.
78th minute – From the right wing, midfielder Tony Donatelli fired a point blank shot, but Rhinos goalkeeper Scott Vallow made a save with his left leg.
GAME SUMMARY
PHOTOS PÉPÉ AT SAPUTO STADIUM
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Source: Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info: 514-328-3668 (ext. 227)
