Two first-half goals by Ze Roberto and Patrice Bernier, scored one minute apart, powered the Montreal Impact to a 3-0 win over the Hampton Roads Mariners in front of a season high crowd of 7,234 fans. Impact goalkeeper Greg Sutton, who was named the first star of the game, recorded his 7th shutout of the season stopping a penalty shot and making eight saves in all. Gabriel Gervais also scored for the Impact.
In the first half the Impact came out flying. Eduardo Sebrango had the first chance sending a rocket off the chest of Mariners keeper Joe Larson from 6 yards out. Montreal got sloppy a few minutes later. In a mad scramble in front of the net, Gary Glasgow was left alone and sent a shot that Sutton just managed to save. Bernier almost had a breakaway in the 16th minute but was stopped by Mariners defender Russell Hutchison with a great sliding tackle. Glasgow took the play the other way a minute later when he shot a bullet that Sutton just tipped over the bar. Montreal opened the scoring in the 19th minute when Roberto headed a Mauro Biello corner past Larson. Montreal 1 Hampton Roads 0.
Roberto intercepted the ball just a minute later and passed to Bernier who went in alone on Larson and sent a low shot into the net. Montreal 2 Hampton Roads 0.
For the next few minutes both teams played uninspired soccer. Montreal had to make two early substitutions due to injuries and faulty contact lenses. Midfielder David Fronimadis had to leave the field when his contact lens became stuck in his eye and he could not see properly. Nick De Santis pulled a muscle and could not continue as well. Sebrango had the only other good chance for Montreal when he sent a shot from 6 yards that Larson stopped with great difficulty.
In the second half, the Impact had a scare in the 58th minute when a stray shot eluded Sutton and made its way to the net only to be kicked off the line at the last second by Lloyd Barker. The Montreal defender made another great save when he headed a rebound over the net and out of danger with Mariner midfielder Daniel Alvarez threatening. The referee called a penalty shot in the 70th minute when Barker tripped Glasgow in the box. The crowd was tense waiting for the penalty. Glasgow aimed a low shot to the right but Sutton guessed right and deflected the ball over the net sending the crowd into a frenzy. The save rejuvenated Montreal who tightened up their defense. Montreal tried to go for the bonus point by constantly attacking. Rocco Placentino made a terrific pass to Darko Kolic in the box but the ball was kicked out by Larson just a split second before the Montreal forward could reach it. In injury time Gabriel Gervais sealed the game when he came down the right side, went around Larson and sent the ball into the empty net. Montreal 3 Hampton Roads 0.
Greg Sutton, when asked about his performance, said, " I have to give so much credit to our defense." On his penalty kick save, he said, " I didn't have my mind made up. I gave a fake right and went left. It was a big momentum swinger." Impact coach Bob Lilley praised his keeper saying, " It was his best game of the year." He was very pleased with the overall defensive effort saying, "We did a great job against an explosive team." Ze Roberto on his goal simply said, "I think tonight I played much better. The opportunity came and I put the ball in the net."
The Impact will now play in Rochester on Friday before facing the Richmond Kickers next Wednesday in Montreal.
Game notes: This is the first of two meetings between these teams. They will meet again in Hampton Roads on August 9th. Tonight's game marks the beginning of the second half of the Impact's season. The Mariners only dressed one goalkeeper for the game. Tay Goode was recalled by the Kansas City Wizards of MLS to replace the injured Tony Meola.
Lineups:
Montreal: Sutton (GK), Braz, Gervais, Barker (Placentino 86), Kopp, De Santis (Leduc 36), Roberto, Bernier (Henry 81), Fronimadis (Oliviero 29), Sebrango (Kolic 71) Biello. Substitutes not used: Shepherd (GK), Rowland.
Hampton Roads: Larson (GK), Checcio, Hutchison, Warham, Degand, Shak, Alvarez, Lindenmayer (Cecil Lewis 78), Knott (Hansen 76), Glasgow, Brooks. Substitutes not used: Darren Lewis, Fredrick, Lujan, Henriques.
Infractions:Oliviero (Mtl. Yellow 62), Barker (Mtl. Yellow 70), Checcio (HR Yellow 76), Shak (HR Yellow 89).
Conditions: Sunny and warm (68 degrees F) and. Field dry.
Attendance: 7, 234
Three Stars: 1) Sutton 2) Roberto 3) Barker.
