Goals by Giuliano Oliviero and Eduardo Sebrango paced the Montreal Impact to a 2-0 win over their division rivals the Toronto Lynx in front of 5,821 ecstatic fans in Montreal's season home opener. The win moved Montreal to a record of 2 wins and 2 losses for the season and dropped the Lynx to 1-4-1.
The Impact completely outworked the Lynx from the get go. As early as the 9th minute, Impact forward Mauro Biello hustled down the left flank but was thwarted by the Lynx defense. In the 12th minute, Impact midfielder Ze Roberto headed a Nick De Santis free kick right to Toronto keeper Theo Zagar who just barely tipped the ball over the bar. On the ensuing corner, Impact defender Lloyd Barker passed to Biello who shot point blank at Zagar from two feet out but the keeper stood his ground. Biello had another point blank shot in the 27th minute when he took a pass from Oliviero and shot at Zagar from 3 feet away. Once again the Toronto keeper reacted well and made the save. The Lynx had a few chances at the end of the half but could never finish their plays. A long pass from Lynx midfielder Shawn Faria to striker Irasto Knights was too far ahead and was intercepted in time by Impact keeper Greg Sutton who otherwise did not have a very busy half.
In the second half Biello continued his hard work with a speedy run on the left but his cross was for naught as no teammates were anywhere near scoring position. The Impact continued to press when Sebrango ran at Zagar in the 55th minute. The keeper came out 10 yards from his box to intercept but the Lynx were called for a foul on Sebrango. On the ensuing free kick, just left of the goal, Biello sent a terrific pass to Oliviero standing just outside the box. Instead of passing to a teammate, Oliviero blasted a hard shot into the top left hand corner of the net. Zagar was completely fooled and did not react in time. Montreal 1 Toronto 0.
Both teams made several changes in an effort to bring in some fresh legs just before the 75th minute. The Lynx started to apply some pressure in the Montreal zone but were thwarted by the Impact defense and the strong play of Sutton. A blast by Lynx forward Nikola Budalic gave Sutton a lot of trouble but the keeper managed to steer it wide. The turning point of the game occurred in the 81st minute when Knights elbowed Impact defender Nicola Corneli in the face right in front of the referee who did not hesitate to pull out the red card.
Down to 10 men, the Lynx played desperately but could not penetrate the Impact defense. Midfielder Robbie Aristodemo was easily the best Toronto player and hustled all over the field in an attempt to get someone in scoring position. In the 89th minute Biello scored a goal on a pass from Sebrango but it was waved offside. In extra time Toronto defender Marco Reda headed a pass into a scrum in front of the Montreal net but Biello booted the ball out just as it fell on the line. A pass to Montreal forward Rocco Placentino sent him and Sebrango alone against one Toronto defender. Placentino sent a precise pass to Sebrango who just tapped it into the net from five feet out.
Montreal 2 Toronto 0.
After the game Montreal coach Bob Lilley praised his players saying, "They outworked Toronto from start to finish. The players played with discipline and passion." Montreal captain Mauro Biello was happy with the win but thanked the large crowd saying," It's great to see 5,000. It makes you work a little harder." Remarking that the team's financial future was now assured he said, "We can focus on playing and winning games." Greg Sutton who recorded his second straight shutout was equally excited with the large turnout. He commented that the team played a very good game against a tough team.
The Impact will now meet the Pittsburgh Riverhounds in back to back games in Pittsburgh on June 8 and in Montreal the following day.
Lineups:
Montreal: 1 Greg Sutton (GK), 2 Adam Braz, 7 Nicola Corneli (sub 5 Nevio Pizzolitto 84th minute), 8 Gabriel Gervais, 13 Lloyd Barker, 3 Jason DiTullio (sub 19 David Fronimadis 72nd minute), 4 Nick De Santis (sub 15 Patrick Leduc 72nd minute), 10 Ze Roberto, 21 Giuliano Oliviero (sub 18 Rocco Placentino 65th minute), 12 Eduardo Sebrango, 20 Mauro Biello(Captain). Substitutes not used: 22 Paul Shepherd (GK), 14 Drew Kopp, 6 Mark Rowland.
Toronto: 22 Theo Zagar (GK), 2 Marco Reda (Captain), 4 Joe Mattacchione, 15 Adrian Serioux, 21 Matt Rosenfeld (sub 20 Elvis Thomas 63rd minute), 5 Shawn Faria, 8 Brian Ashton, 11 Nikola Vignjevic (sub 9 David Di Placido 74th minute), 10 Robbie Aristodemo, 7 Nikola Budalic, 19 Irasto Knights. Substitutes not used: 1 James Kryger (GK).
Goals: Montreal- Oliviero (55), Sebrango (90).
Cautions: Montreal-Roberto (16), Corneli (49); Toronto-Mattacchione (80)
Ejections: Montreal-none; Toronto-Knights (81)
Attendance: 5,821
Conditions: Warm and dry.
