“Our consistency was not there for 90 minutes,” said Impact head coach John Limniatis. “In the first half, we played well for 20 minutes, but did not do well in the remaining 30 minutes and that is when Rochester scored two goals. We played well in the second half but it was very hard for us to recover. The stress is always bigger when you are trying to catch up.”
Midfielder Rocco Placentino opened the score in the 6th minute of play. Defender Cédric Joqueviel, who initiated an offensive play, dribbled over a few meters and passed the ball to Placentino in the box, who laced a powerful shot to the top corner on the near side, beating goalkeeper Scott Vallow to his right.
“Cédric Joqueviel made a great play on the goal and it was a nice finish but it does not mean anything when you lose,” said Placentino. “We had good chances in the second half, but I guess fatigue was a factor and we did not get the tying goal.”
The Rhinos tied the score in the 24th minute. Following a throw-in in Impact territory, Rhinos midfielder Chris Nurse deflected the ball with a header, beating goalkeeper Matt Jordan with a lobe in the opposite corner of the net.
Midfielder Tiger Fitzpatrick gave the lead to the Rhinos, scoring in stoppage time of the first half. After accepting a pass from Mike Ambersley, which was almost recovered by Zanzan, Fitzpatrick fired a high shot in the upper far side of the net, leaving no chance to Jordan, who dove to his right.
The Impact now owns a 10-2-4 lifetime record (24 GF – 8 GA) in 16 home openers.
Since 2001, it is the first time that the Impact concedes a goal during a home opener. The club had also lost 2-1 against the Connecticut Wolves, on May 27, at Claude-Robillard Sports Complex.
Placentino registered a point in the last three games, while Joqueviel earned his first career point with the Impact.
Team captain Mauro Biello, defender Stefano Pesoli, as well as midfielders Leonardo Di Lorenzo, Sandro Grande and Patrick Leduc were not in the lineup.
Defender Nevio Pizzolitto, who played his 255th game in the USL First Division, reached the 20,000 minutes played mark in the league.
“I think that we are currently going through an unlucky phase,” said Pizzolitto. “As of Monday, we will have forgotten today’s game and we will be motivated with the game in Toronto. A positive result against Toronto FC would be good for the team.”
The Impact will play its next game Wednesday against Toronto FC, at BMO Field in Toronto, in the Nutrilite Canadian Championship (8 pm, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990).
HIGHLIGHTS
30th minute – Following a long pass from David Testo, midfielder Rocco Placentino dribbled towards the center of the box and took a right-foot shot that went just above the Rhinos goal.
64th minute – On a corner kick from Joey Gjertsen that was recentered with a header by David Testo, defender Nevio Pizzolitto executed a point blank shot that was blocked by a Rhinos defender on the goal line.
71st minute – Rocco Placentino took a free kick of about 25 meters that defender Nevio Pizzolitto deflected with a header, before midfielder Kevin Sakuda took a volley shot just above the Rhinos net.
74th minute – Positioned at the goalmouth, forward Eduardo Sebrango deflected with a header a centering pass from Joey Gjertsen just above the goal.
84th minute - While the Impact defensive misread that a Rhinos player was offside, Montreal got caught in a three against two attack, during which midfielder Tiger Fitzpatrick took a low shot that goalkeeper Matt Jordan stopped by diving.
NEXT GAMES
• Wednesday, May 13 – IMPACT @ Toronto FC – BMO Field – 8 pm (Nutrilite Canadian Championship)
• Friday, May 15 – Charleston @ IMPACT – Saputo Stadium – 7:30 pm (Radio-Canada, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, USLlive.com)
• Sunday, May 17 – Austin @ IMPACT –Saputo Stadium – 3:30 pm (Radio-Canada, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, USLlive.com)
GAME SUMMARY
PHOTOS PÉPÉ
-30-
Source : Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info : 514-328-3668 (Ext. 227)
