Bleu-blanc-noir undefeated in four preseason games
ST. PETERBURG, Florida – The Montreal Impact tied the Tampa Bay Rowdies 0-0, Wednesday night at Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg, Florida. With the draw, the Impact remains unbeaten since the start of its training camp, with a record of two wins and two draws.
“A few of the younger players saw action tonight and were surrounded by a strong veteran core,” said Impact head coach Rémi Garde. “I’m quite satisfied with the team’s performance. I especially enjoyed our first half. I don’t know how we didn’t win this game, but I saw us apply the defense and offensive principles we’ve been working on in training.”
Abundance of offense in the first
This young group, with Zachary Brault-Guillard, Shamit Shome, Ken Krolicki, David Choinière and Clément Bayiha among the starting 11, started the game with lots of energy, especially going forward. In the fifth minute, Brault-Guillard ran half the field before finding Anthony Jackson-Hamel in behind the defense. He cut in to beat his defender, but his left-footed shot just missed to the goalkeeper’s right.
Four minutes later, Choinière cut towards the inside in the offensive third and found Daniel Lovitz streaking down the flank. The American international sent a low cross towards Jackson-Hamel, who couldn’t adjust himself in time and missed the target.
“I think the game went pretty well,” said midfielder David Choinière. “It’s been a while since I played close to a full game with my teammates. It feels good to get back into it.”
Montreal had quite a few looks at goal in the first half, especially Jackson-Hamel, who found himself alone in front of the Rowdies netminder, and Lovitz, who shot a nicely placed free kick just wide.
Krolicki suffers serious injury
Midfielder Ken Krolicki suffered an injury to his right elbow in the beginning of the second half and had to be transported to the hospital. During the play, Krolicki jumped for the ball and landed awkwardly on his right arm.
Most of the second half was a battle in midfield, as both teams fought to maintain possession. The Bleu-blanc-noir did however manage to create two good opportunities to try and edge out a win near the end of the game, when Harry Novillo was sent in behind by Mathieu Choinière, but the opposing goalkeeper came out and narrowed the angle well. On the ensuing corner, Víctor Cabrera won the header, but his attempt trickled just wide.
“I think we played the way the coach wanted us to,” said defender Zachary Brault-Guillard. “The veterans congratulated us for our first half. We played well enough by showing what we can accomplish with the ball. I think it was a good game overall.”
Upcoming games
The Impact will bring to an end its training camp on Saturday, February 23, when it takes on D.C. United at 7pm, also part of the Rowdies Suncoast Invitational, a game which will be broadcast live on impactmontreal.com.
The team then heads to California, where it will open the regular season against the San Jose Earthquakes on Saturday, March 2, at 10pm EST at Avaya Stadium (TVA Sports). The Impact will open its season at home, at Stade Saputo, on Saturday, April 13, at 1pm against the Columbus Crew SC.
LINE-UPS
MTL – G-Evan Bush; D-Zachary Brault-Guillard, Rudy Camacho, Zakaria Diallo (Victor Cabrera 46’), Daniel Lovitz (Émile Legault^ 46’); M- Clément Bayiha, Ken Krolicki (Mathieu Choinière 55’), Micheal Azira (Saphir Taïder 46’), Shamit Shome, David Choinière^ (Amar Sejdic^ 85’); F-Anthony Jackson-Hamel (Harry Novillo 76’)
Unused subs: Clément Diop, Bacary Sagna, Maximiliano Urruti
^Player on trial
TB – G-John McCarty; D-Mohamed Kone, Pape Diakite, Tarek Morad; M-Eti Tavares^, Zach Steinbgerger, Jordan Doherty, Yann Ekra, Caleb Richards; F-Brandon Allen, Juan Tejeda
^Player on trial
CAUTIONS
MTL – Anthony Jackson-Hamel 23’
TB – Leo Fernandes 77’
TB – Kwadwo Poku 78’
TB – Antoine Hoppenot 90’
