A goal by Raul Diaz Arce in the 66th minute lifted the Charleston Battery to a 1-0 win over the Montreal Impact thus ending Montreal's unbeaten streak at 7 games. The game, played before 2,123 fans, was a dull affair where both teams played aggressive defense and little else. Montreal drops to a record of 5-3-2 while Charleston still leads the A League with a record of 13-1-1.
A tired Montreal Impact, playing their second game in as many nights, started the game off tentatively content to send long balls down to the Charleston end. The Battery was also guilty of disjointed play, guarding their end and waiting for a chance to attack. In the 18th minute, Impact midfielder Giuliano Oliviero headed a ball to Eduardo Sebrango in the box but the forward's header went well over the bar. Just a minute later with the Impact showing signs of life, Oliviero, on a corner kick, crossed a perfect pass into the box to Nevio Pizzolitto who shot two feet wide. In the 22nd minute Oliviero leading the attack once more, crossed a long ball from the left, which was punched out by Charleston keeper Todd Hoffard. For the rest of the half, the Battery had the better of the chances sending many dangerous crosses into the Impact box but these were headed out of danger by the Impact defenders. Diaz Arce showed some hustle but was twice caught offside.
Barely five minutes into the second half, Oliviero sent a great pass to Ze Roberto who shot weakly at Hoffard. From this point on, Charleston had the bulk of the chances. Battery midfielder John Jones had a great chance in the 54th minute when he sent a bullet from the edge of the box two feet over the bar. Impact goalkeeper Greg Sutton stopped a long cross by Charleston defender Mark Watson to Steve Klein in the 60th minute. Roberto missed a good opportunity four minutes later when he took a pass and shot just a foot wide from 10 feet out. The Battery finally scored in the 66th minute on a very strange play. Mark Watson's throw in was headed by Justin Evans to Diaz Arce who was standing six feet out of the goal. The former MLS scoring champion was not facing the goal and merely hit the ball with the back of his heel into the net. In an attempt to get some fresh legs in, Impact coach Bob Lilley sent forward Darko Kolic into the game in the 78th minute. Just two minutes later, Kolic had a fantastic chance sending two quick shots in on Hoffard who barely managed to deflect the ball out. The Impact played in a very disjointed manner for the rest of the game and could not get anything going.
After the game, Lilley, commenting on the lack of effort, said, " We didn't put away chances. [Charleston] were physical. They were hungry to score a goal." When asked about his team's lack of scoring, Impact player-assistant coach Nick De Santis said, " We need guys to be aggressive towards the net."
The Impact will next host the Cincinnati Riverhawks on Wednesday July 3rd before heading out to Rochester for a game against the Rhinos three days later.
Game notes: The Battery dressed only one goalkeeper for the game. Number 1 keeper Dusty Hudock did not make the trip due to a sprained back. Greg Sutton has played every single minute in goal for Montreal this season. He and defender Gabriel Gervais are the only two Impact players to have played in every minute of every game so far.
Line-ups:
Montreal: 1 Greg Sutton (GK), 5 Nevio Pizzolitto (sub. 14 Drew Kopp 14th minute), 7 Nicola Corneli, 8 Gabriel Gervais, 19 David Fronimadis (sub. 13 Lloyd Barker 64th minute), 3 Jason Ditullio, 10 Ze Roberto, 17 Patrice Bernier, 21 Giuliano Oliviero (sub. 20 Mauro Biello 61st minute), 6 Mark Rowland (sub. 4 Nick De Santis 61st minute), 12 Eduardo Sebrango (sub. 11 Darko Kolic 78th minute). Substitutes not used: 26 Pieter Meuleman (GK), 18 Rocco Placentino.
Charleston: 22 Todd Hoffard (GK), 15 Andrew Lewis, 5 Mark Watson, 6 Linval Dixon, 2 Kyle Swords, 12 Morgan Zeba, 18 Justin Evans, 8 Matt Farris, 4 John Jones, 21 Raul Diaz Arce (sub. 17 Ryan Trout 83rd minute), 19 Steve Klein (sub. 20 Colin Phillips 76th minute). Substitutes not used: 13 Kevin Anderson, 16 Mac Cozier, 3 Terry Phelan.
Goal: Diaz Arce (assisted by Evans) 66th minute.
Cautions: Fronimadis (Mtl. 29th minute), Evans (Charl. 32nd minute), Jones (Charl. 44th minute), Watson (Charl. 87th minute).
Ejections: None.
Conditions: Warm (82 degrees F), field dry.
Attendance: 2,123
Three stars: 1) Justin Evans 2) Nevio Pizzolitto 3) Greg Sutton
