Kansas City opened the scoring in the 17th minute. In an effort to intercept a cross in the air from midfielder Stephane Auvray, team captain Nevio Pizzolitto deflected the ball over Impact goalkeeper Bill Gaudette.
KC doubled its lead off of a penalty shot in the 73rd minute. Forward CJ Sapong, who was fouled a few seconds prior in the 18-yard box, beat the second half goalkeeper Evan Bush, who is on a tryout with the Impact.
“We played a really good opponent, that moved the ball really well, but they won the game without really getting good scoring chances. Both goals came out of nowhere,” said Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. “Defensively, we were solid, but we have to take better decisions in the third of the field.”
“A few mistakes cost us today,” said left defender Zurab Tsiskaridze, who took part in his first game with the Impact. “It’s just a question of time before we develop chemistry between us. We are learning to play with each other and we feel like the group is coming together.”
“We played a good opponent, but the end result is not as important as we are making preparation for the season,” said midfielder Hassoun Camara. “We will continue to work hard and we will get better, without a doubt.”
The Impact managed two good scoring chances in the 23rd and 36th minutes. After reception of a through ball by defender Philippe Billy, forward Ali Gerba fired a low shot from just inside the 18-yard box, but the shot was saved by opposing goalkeeper Eric Kronberg.
Less than 15 minutes later, midfielder Luke Kreamalmeyer accepted a ball through two defenders from Gerba. Alone in front of the Kansas City keeper, Kreamalmeyer’s shot sailed just over the right corner of the net.
Defender Richard Pelletier left the game in the 58th minute, bothered by pain in his left elbow. Midfielder Anthony Le Gall did not take part in the match due to a light ankle injury.
Despite it being an exhibition game, tempers began to flare in the 68th minute. Following incidents near centre field, midfielder Antonio Ribeiro and Flores, a tryout player with Sporting Kansas City, were ejected. However, both teams finished the match with 11 players on the field.
The Impact will play its third and final exhibition game in Arizona on Wednesday, March 2 against FC Dallas, at the Reach 11 Complex, near Phoenix, at 6pm (Eastern time).
OTHER HIGHLIGHTS
42nd minute – Low shot by Gerba from about 20 meters out missed right of the goalkeeper.
61st minute – Midfielder Pierre-Rudolph Mayard cuts to the inside, firing a shot from about 30 meters from goal, missing left of the keeper.
83rd minute – Filipe Da Costa shoots from 35 meters out right into the goalkeepers hands.
LINEUPS
MONTREAL IMPACT
GK-Bill Gaudette (Evan Bush, 46), D-Philippe Billy, D-Nevio Pizzolitto (Hicham Aaboubou, 46), D-Kevin Hatchi, D-Richard Pelletier (Zurab Tsiskaridze, 58), M- Luke Kreamalmeyer, M-Hassoun Camara (Bonheur Aubey, 80), M-Simon Gatti (Antonio Ribeiro, 46, Kevin Cossette, 68), M-Leonardo Di Lorenzo (Pierre-Rudolph Mayard, 57), F-Idriss Ech Chergui (Kyle Porter, 51), F-Ali Gerba (Filipe Da Costa, 67)
SPORTING KANSAS CITY (without subs)
GK-Eric Kronberg, D-Scott Lorenz, D-Omar Colley, D-Mike Jones, D-Michael Harrington, M-Philippe Auvray, M-Jack Jewsbury, M-Graham Zusi, F-Adda Djeziri, F-CJ Sapong, F-Chance Myers
GOALS
KC – (Impact, own goal) – 17th minute
KC – CJ Sapong (PK) – 73rd minute
CAUTIONS
IMPACT - Hassoun Camara, 44th minute
IMPACT - Antonio Ribeiro, 63rd minute
PHOTOS PÉPÉ
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