The Impact will play the second leg of the home-away series next Wednesday, May 4, at Empire Field in Vancouver (11pm, Rogers Sportsnet ONE).
The Whitecaps scored the lone goal of the game at the 67th minute. From the inside of the six-yard box, midfielder Terry Dunfield hit with his head the left footed cross from midfielder Russell Teibert.
"Even though we didn't win, we built something tonight," said Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. "The result was frustrating, but we played with intensity and power, especially in the first half. We let down our block in the second half and unfortunately, we lost the ball on a goal kick that led to their goal. I think a result of 0-0 would have been more just. Automatisms are starting to appear, our players are finding each other more easily on the field and our team is maturing. It's far from being over."
In the first half, the Impact got its best scoring chance during stoppage time. A 20-meter free kick taken by Ali Gerba was blocked by the Whitecaps wall, then defender Zurab Tsiskaridze took a hard left-footed shot that went just wide to the left of the Vancouver's net.
When play resumed for the second half, at the 46th minute, midfielder Anthony Le Gall took a low cross shot from the entrance of the 18-yard box that Nolly stopped diving to his right.
Montreal nearly tied the game at the 87th minute when defender Philippe Billy dribbled and passed the ball between two Vancouver defenders, but Nolly came out of his net to grab the ball.
“We showed tonight that we can compete against MLS clubs,” said Billy. “The second half was more difficult because the Whitecaps put a lot of pressure. Our objective was to prevent them from scoring tonight, even more with away goals counting more in case of a tie. I think we deserved a tie. We are becoming a lot more experienced and we continue our growth as a team.”
Impact goalkeeper Bill Gaudette distinguished himself at the 20th minute when he stopped the powerful shot of Camilo. Then, at the 65th minute, Gaudette stopped midfielder Moulou Akloul’s header, diving to his right without giving a rebound.
In the second Canadian championship semifinal, Toronto FC earned a 3-0 shutout win against FC Edmonton at Commonwealth Stadium. Both teams will meet again on May 4 at BMO Field in Toronto.
In the meantime, the Impact will face FC Edmonton for the first time in club history, this Sunday at Foote Field (9:35pm, fcedmonton.com).
UPCOMING GAMES
• Sunday, May 1 – IMPACT @ FC Edmonton – Foote Field – 21:35pm (fcedmonton.com)
• Wednesday, May 4 – IMPACT @ Vancouver Whitecaps FC – Empire Field – 11pm (Rogers Sportsnet ONE)
• Wednesday, May 11 – New York Red Bulls @ IMPACT – Saputo Stadium – 19:30pm (CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, radio-canada.ca/sports)
• Saturday, May 14 – Carolina RailHawks @ IMPACT – Saputo Stadium – 2:30pm (Radio-Canada, CKAC Sports, THE TEAM 990, radio-canada.ca/sports)
Nutrilite Canadian Championship
International game
SOMMAIRE DU MATCH
PÉPÉ’S PHOTO AT SAPUTO STADIUM
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