A record opening day crowd of 7,128 people was on hand to witness a dull defensive game between the Richmond Kickers and the Montreal Impact. Montreal hit two goalposts but was limited in scoring chances by a tenacious Richmond defense.
Both teams started the first half tentatively with Richmond having the first scoring chance when in the fourth minute, Montreal keeper Greg Sutton made a diving save on a shot following a Richmond corner. In the seventh minute, a shot by Montreal midfielder Ze Roberto hit the top right post of the Richmond net. In the 15th minute a great play by Montreal defender Jason Ditullio was for naught when his pass went over the head of Roberto who was posted near the six yard line of the Richmond net. Montreal got a scare in the 24th minute when Impact midfielder Nick De Santis crumbled to the ground after stopping two Richmond shots with his body. He came off for a few moments but was soon back in the game. Impact captain Mauro Biello, coming in on the right of the Richmond net, made a great pass into the box in the 30th minute but the ball was booted out by a Richmond defender. For the rest of the half, Richmond played eight men back and choked any attempts by Montreal to penetrate into their zone. Montreal's shots for the duration of the half were sent well over the bar or easily scooped up by Kickers keeper Ronnie Pascale.
In the second half, both teams opened up the play. First, in the 52nd minute, Biello was fed a pass by Patrick Leduc but hit the post from four yards out. Substitute Rob Ukrop had a good chance for the Kickers in the 61st minute when he headed a stray ball into Sutton's hands. The only other good chance belonged to the Kickers in the 69th minute when forward Kevin Jeffrey sent a rocket from 20 yards that just missed the top right corner of the net. Towards the end of the half the Kickers were swarming the Montreal net but could not get any quality shots on Sutton.
Neither team had any good chances during the two overtime periods. The play was confined mainly to the midfield although Montreal substitute Lloyd Barker had one chance but booted the ball just over the bar.
After the game Impact coach Bob Lilley said, "We can play better (but) I saw good signs today." He was not disappointed with the effort but said, "The finishing will come." Kickers forward Kevin Jeffrey commenting on the tight defensive game said, "It was a midfield battle. We came out here to win but it was a battlefield today."
Game notes: Canada's National women's team attended today's game. The team will play England tomorrow in Montreal and in Ottawa later in the week. The Impact will play their next four games on the road starting with a rematch against the Kickers in Richmond on Friday.
Lineups:
Montreal: Greg Sutton (GK), Jason Ditullio, Nevio Pizzolitto, Gabriel Gervais, David Fronimadis (Chris Williams 82[Darko Kolic 101]), Nick DeSantis (Lloyd Barker 66), Ze Roberto Santana, Patrick Leduc (Mark Rowland 73), Martin Nash (Sita-Taty Matondo 81), Eduardo Sebrango, Mauro Biello. Substitutes not used: Michael Ueltschey (GK), Abraham Francois.
Richmond: Ronnie Pascale (GK), Khary Stockton, Chris Fox, Chris Brown, Peter Luzak, Ray Goodlett (Paul Lekics 66), Kevin Knight (Ihor Dotsenko 101), Jason Russell (Tony Williams 72), Greg Simmonds (Rob Ukrop 46), Kevin Jeffrey (Mike Burke 83), David Testo. Substitutes not used: Armando Femia (GK), Ben Strawbridge.
Infractions Richmond: Burke (caution 93rd minute)
Infractions Montreal: none
Attendance: 7, 128
Conditions: Sunny and warm. Field dry.
