MONTREAL – For the first time in a home opener since joining MLS, the Montreal Impact fell to the Seattle Sounders FC 2-0 on Sunday afternoon, in front of 27,207 spectators at Olympic Stadium.
Seattle was credited with the opening marker off of an own goal, early in the first half. In the 8th minute, midfielder Gonzalo Pineda played a free-kick into the box that found fellow mid Lamar Neagle. The former Impact player flicked a header over Troy Perkins, back to goal. The ball rebounded off of the crossbar, hits the Impact goalkeeper and ends up in the net.
The Sounders FC doubled its lead in the 58th minute when forward Kenny Cooper ran down a deep ball near the touchline inside the box. He played the ball to the opposite corner of the six yard line, where fellow striker Obafemi Martins leapt to head the ball past Perkins, who still managed to get a touch on the ball despite coming all the way across his box.
The Impact finished the game with 25 shots and 10 corners, tying team records in MLS. It was also the sixth best crowd in club history.
Post-game comments
“We are home and we gave up an early goal,” said head coach Frank Klopas. “If we look at the game, our overall possession, quality crosses, ability to get in good spots and to then come away with nothing, it just seems like we’re not getting any little breaks. Although, the guys pushed all the way to the end and worked extremely hard so we have to keep going forward.”
“It wasn’t a bad game, but wasn’t a good game either,” said captain Patrice Bernier. “We gave too much space to the other team in the first half and then we were just running after the game. Tuesday, we have to get back into playing. I won’t say that we will forget this, but we have to work on it quickly and concentrating on getting points.”
“Definitely not what we were looking for,” added Justin Mapp. “We seem to always be giving up goals pretty early, so then we’re always chasing the game. I still thought we played well enough to get some points, but we couldn’t score.”
Other highlights
Perkins came up with a huge stop in the 17th minute when Neagle player a perfect cross to forward Obafemi Martins near the six yard box, but the keeper managed to get a hand on the header going opposite corner as he shuffled quickly across the crease.
Defender Eric Miller came close in the 30th minute when a corner kick bounced around in the box. The rookie right back hammered a shot from a tight angle, but his rising shot was stopped by Sounders keeper Stefan Frei short side.
In the 84th minute, a scramble in the 18 led to a Blake Smith strike that was cleared off the line by Sounders defender Djimi Traore. Moments later, Miller beat two defenders down the right flank, cut into the box only to see his well-struck attempt hit the post.
Upcoming games
The Impact will travel to PPL Park in Philadelphia to take on the Union on Saturday, March 29, at 4pm EDT, before returning to Montreal to host the New York Red Bulls on April 5, at 4pm EDT, at Olympic Stadium.
2014 Season tickets
2014 season tickets are now available in six categories, with prices ranging from $339, $443, $546, $667, $885 and $1,230 (taxes included), as well as in the Saputo Family Corner at $224 (kids) and $443 (adults). Memberships for Premium Seats are all sold out and only two suites remain for individual game purchases. Reserve your seat for the 2014 season by contacting our sales services at 514-328-3668.
Lineups
MTL – GK-Troy Perkins; D-Jeb Brovsky (Heath Pearce 69’), Hassoun Camara, Matteo Ferrari, Eric Miller; M-Hernan Bernardello (Santiago Gonzalez 78’), Patrice Bernier (Blake Smith 70’), Justin Mapp, Felipe, Collen Warner; F-Andrew Wenger
Subs not used: GK-Maxime Crépeau; D-Wandrille Lefèvre, Karl W. Ouimette; M-Calum Mallace
SEA– GK-Stefan Frei; D-DeAndre Yedlin, Chad Marshall, Djimi Traore, Dulan Remick; M-Andy Rose, Osvaldo Alonso, Gonzalo Pineda; F-Kenny Cooper (Michael Azira 66’), Obafemi Martins (Cam Weaver 86’), Lamar Neagle (Leo Gonzalez 73’)
Subs not used: GK-Marcus Hahnemann; D-Jalil Anibaba; M-Marco Pappa; F-Sean Okoli
Goals
SEA –Own goal 8’
SEA – Martins (Cooper) 58’
Caution
MTL – Camara 45+1’
