The Impact took control of the game from the onset, with numerous incursions in the Miami zone, but was unable to capitalize on their chances. Miami FC forward Romario, who scored the winning goal in Toronto last Friday against the Lynx, was neutralized, and did not obtain a shot on goal.
Goalkeeper Greg Sutton earned his fourth shutout in five starts this season, his 62nd overall.
Impact midfielder Kirk Wilson took part in his very first game with the Impact, when head coach Nick De Santis inserted him in the line-up at the 55th minute. Wilson had missed the start of the season because of an ankle injury suffered during training camp.
The crowd of 12,142 fans, was the third largest in Impact history for a regular season game, the fourth in club history.
HIGHLIGHTS
9th minute - After receiving a back pass from forward Mauro Biello, midfielder Zé Roberto, posted in front of the net, took a low shot that was saved by Miami FC goalkeeper Chris Doyle.
36th minute - On a free kick by Impact midfielder Leonardo Di Lorenzo, Nevio Pizzolitto jumped on the ball redirected by Zé Roberto, but his lob hit the crossbar.
53th minute - Following a centering pass from Lars Lyssand, forward Mauricio Salles sent a header right on goalkeeper Chris Doyle, who caught the ball just above his head.
77th minute - On an Impact rush, Joel Bailey sent a ball in the box, which Mauro Biello flicked forward with the head, just over the crossbar.
POST-GAME COMMENTS
HEAD COACH NICK DE SANTIS
“We created good scoring chances, but we were unable to take advantage of them which made our life difficult afterwards. In the second half, we didn’t create enough scoring opportunities to win the game. Defensively, we did well by stopping the Miami offense, who looked like a team that was playing for a draw.”
DEFENDER GABRIEL GERVAIS
« We have to do better at home. They only had three players in the back, so we don’t have any excuses to create more scoring chances. We should have used the wings more, to open the game. We’ll take the point but we have to learn from a game like this. We need a better quality of play for the next game.”
FORWARD MAURO BIELLO
«Of course we’re disappointed with the result. When you play at home, you want to do well in front of your fans but today, we were unable to score. We wanted to do more, but Miami played well defensively and, at the end of the game, we were exhausted. For our next games at home, we will have to pressure the opponent more.”
MISSING FROM THE LINE-UP
Team – Player – Position - Reason
MTL - Masahiro Fukasawa (M) - sprained foot - could be back this week
MTL - Gerry Argento (G) – concussion - unknown return
MIA - Mario Rodriguez (M) – thigh - did not travel with the team
NEXT GAME
Date – Teams – Stadium – Time
Sun. June 4 - Puerto Rico @ Impact - Claude-Robillard Sports Complex - 4:00 pm
GAME SUMMARY
Impact line-up
Greg Sutton, Gabriel Gervais, Nevio Pizzolitto, Adam Braz (Jason DiTullio 76), Mauricio Vincello (Lars Lyssand 13), Patrick Leduc (Daniel Antoniuk 72), Leonardo Di Lorenzo (Kirk Wilson 55), Zé Roberto, Antonio Ribeiro, Mauro Biello, Mauricio Salles (Joel Bailey 74)
Miami line-up
Chris Doyle, J.P. Rodrigues, Michael Erush, Allen Handy, John Pulido (Diego Walsh 89), Mike Adeyemi, Oscar Gil (Fabian Sandoval 80), Walter Ramirez (Jamil Jean-Jacques 68), Zinho, Sean Fraser (Art Bartholomew 64), Romario
Statistics: Miami - Impact
Shots: 4-13
Saves : 6-3
Fouls : 20-17
Offsides: 2-4
Corners: 2-7
Cautions
MIA: Allen Handy 33
MIA: Michael Erush 43
MTL: Adam Braz 46
MIA: John Pulido 65
MIA: Mike Adeyemi 70
MTL: Joel Bailey 85
MIA: Zinho 89
Officials
Isaac Raymond, Jonathan Lavergne, Bedic Charchafian, Pierre Cantave
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Source : Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info : 514-328-3668 Ext. 27
