MONTREAL, Quebec – The Montreal Impact (12-15-4) extended its undefeated streak at home to seven games with a 0-0 draw versus the Eastern Conference leaders, Sporting Kansas City, Saturday in front of a sellout crowd of 20,521 spectators at Stade Saputo. The team also ended a two-game losing streak.
This was the first scoreless draw this season for the Impact. The home side created nine scoring chances and had three shots on target. The team also won 59% of its duels and completed 12 crosses into the 18-yard box.
Postgame comments
“I’d like to thank the supporters today. Coming out in the rain the way they did and the support and singing that they did was incredible,” said Impact head coach Jesse Marsch. “There was nothing to hang our heads about. There is a lot to be proud of today. We won’t stop even though the points may have stacked up against us.”
Postgame: MTL 0, KC 0
“There was definitely a sense of urgency in the second half,” said Impact midfielder Justin Mapp. “With a little more quality in the final third, we could have come out with the win. The effort was definitely there and they are a good team, tops of the division and it showed.”
“We knew we were playing against one of the best teams in MLS. But I think we played a pretty good game today and near the end, we tried everything to win the game, we just couldn’t score,” said Impact defender Matteo Ferrari. “We pushed a lot in the second half. They were probably a little tired from the travel and playing on Wednesday, but we were pushing everything forward.”
Highlights
Sporting Kansas City midfielder Graham Zusi had the game’s first scoring chance in the 13th minute off of a hard shot from 20 meters out that just missed the far post.
On minute later, Impact goalkeeper Troy Perkins stopped Kei Kamara inside the penalty box, following a cross by midfielder Jacob Peterson. Perkins registered his third clean sheet in six games with the Impact.
Midfielder Justin Mapp came close to opening the score in the 25th minute. Following a quick, short free-kick taken by forward Marco Di Vaio, Mapp dribbled the ball forward and hammered one from 25 yards out that just slid passed the post of Sporting goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen. Mapp was making his first start since August 12 against New England, missing three games with an injury. He played the final 25 minutes against Chicago last weekend.
In the 30th minute, defender Hassoun Camara played a ball toward the middle to Felipe from the right flank. The Brazilian midfielder took two touches before firing a low shot, short side, from 25 yards out that was stopped by Nielsen, diving to his left.
In the 59th minute, forward Andrew Wenger headed a ball just over the net that was centred by Di Vaio off of a free kick.
A low shot by captain Davy Arnaud, from the right side of the box, missed by inches as his shot slipped passed the far post in the 68th minute.
Defender Matteo Ferrari came so close to stealing the game in extra time. A free-kick by Marco Di Vaio from 30 yards out, played into the box, found Ferrari near the penalty spot, but his soaring header was punched out by Nielsen.
Midfielder Collen Warner will miss the Impact’s next matchup due to an accumulation of five yellow cards.
Next Game
The Impact will have another two-week break from regular season action before it plays its next match on October 6, against the Houston Dynamo at BBVA Compass Stadium, at 8:30pm (ET). The game will be broadcast live on TVA Sports and will be available on illico mobile, illico web and MLS Live.
The Impact will then head to BMO Field to take on Toronto FC on October 20, at 1:30pm (ET), before playing its last game of the season at Stade Saputo, against the New England Revolution, on October 27, at 2pm (ET). Individual tickets for games at Stade Saputo are available via admission.com or by calling 1-855-790-1245.
Priority list for the Montreal Impact's 2013 season tickets is now available with a $50 deposit by contacting the sales team at 514-328-3668. It is also possible to renew your season tickets for 2013 by contacting the club before October 19, 2012. Also, follow the Impact by downloading the club’s new mobile app powered by Videotron and available free for Android and iOS.
Lineups
MTL: GK – Troy Perkins; D – Jeb Brovsky, Alessandro Nesta (Sanna Nyassi 57’), Matteo Ferrari, Hassoun Camara; M – Collen Warner, Patrice Bernier, Justin Mapp (Andrew Wenger 45’), Davy Arnaud, Felipe ; F– Marco Di Vaio
Unused subs: GK – Greg Sutton; D – Shavar Thomas, Dennis Iapichino; M –Lamar Neagle, Sinisa Ubiparipovic;
KC: GK – Jimmy Nielsen; D – Michael Harrington, Lawrence Olum, Matt Besler, Seth Sinovic; M – Kei Kamara, Jacob Peterson (Chance Myers 89’) Graham Zusi, Oriol Rosell (Peterson Joseph 89’), Julio César (Paulo Nagamura 60’); F – C.J. Sapong
Unused Subs: GK – Erik Kronberg; D – Neven Markovic; , M – Michael Thomas, F – Dom Dwyer
Cautions
MTL – Warner 55’
KC – Julio César 58’
MTL – Arnaud 77’
KC – Peterson Joseph 93’
Ejections
KC – Peterson 90’
