Two late goals by Ali Ngon, including the winner in the 12th minute of overtime, propelled the Toronto Lynx over the Montreal Impact by a score of 3-2. The game was played before 8, 237 spectators, the largest crowd in Montreal Impact history. Nicola Vignevic also scored for the Lynx with Eduardo Sebrango and Sita-Taty Matondo responding for the Impact.
In the first half both teams came out with intensity but Montreal had the better chances. In the 4th minute Mauro Biello sent a pass to Sebrango but the ball was cleared at the edge of the box by Lynx keeper Theo Zagar. In the 9th minute Vignevic sent a free kick from 25 yards out right off the left post. Montreal keeper Greg Sutton did not even react, no doubt due to not being able to see the ball properly because of the sun in his eyes. Zagar made his first highlight save of the game when he stopped a Mark Rowland rocket from just outside the box. In the 25th minute Sebrango headed a Rowland cross towards Zagar but the Toronto keeper managed to stifle the ball. Toronto threatened in the 29th minute when a shot made its way towards the net but was cleared off the line by Biello. Just a few seconds later Ngon took a shot from five feet out but was denied by Sutton.
Montreal went on the board first when Sebrango working at the right of the Toronto net went around a defender then around Zagar before blasting a low shot that went in for the score. Sebrango threatened again in the 37th minute when he easily fooled defender Joe Mattachione and blasted a shot that gave Zagar a lot of trouble. Montreal dominated the half but Zagar kept his team in the game making 7 saves in the half.
In the second half the tide turned. David Fronimadis tripped Ngon in the box in the 49th minute leading to a Toronto penalty. Vignevic calmly took the penalty, Sutton guessed wrong and the score was tied at 1 apiece. Montreal did not give up and had several chances. Gabriel Gervais made a great cross to Sebrango in the 56th minute but the forward's header was easily handled by Zagar. Sebrango had another golden opportunity in the 58th minute when he headed a Biello corner into Zagar's hands once more. Toronto kept pressing but it was Montreal that scored against the run of play when Biello sent a precise cross into the Toronto box that substitute Matondo headed into the net. Toronto did not give up and had several chances including a Ryan Lucas header just over the bar. In the 90th minute Ngon was tripped once again in the Montreal box. He elected to take the penalty kick himself sending it off the crossbar and into the net past Sutton.
Tempers flared in overtime and fouls were frequent. Toronto sealed the game when David DiPlacido fed a pass to Ngon in the box who calmly slotted it past Sutton.
After the game Impact coach Bob Lilley stood stunned at the outcome. Asked about his team's play he said, "I think Toronto outworked us tonight. I don't think we played well enough to win." Zagar, who was named third star for his 11 save performance, simply said," I had to make the saves to keep the team in the game. It's my job."
Montreal will now host the Atlanta Silverbacks on Sunday afternoon.
Game notes: Martin Nash and Nevio Pizzolitto are still with the Canadian National team taking part in the CONCACAF Gold Cup but are due back for the next game as Canada ha just been eliminated. The Impact released midfielder Gaspare Boresellino at his request and has signed midfielder Antonio Ribeiro who played with the team in 2000 and 2001 to replace him.
Lineups:
Montreal-Greg Sutton (GK), Jason DiTullio (Abraham Francois 68), Drew Kopp, Gabriel Gervais, David Fronimadis, Nick DeSantis, Mark Rowland (Sita-Taty Matondo 69), Ze Roberto Santana, Patrick Leduc, Eduardo Sebrango (Lloyd Barker 76), Mauro Biello (Chris Williams 81). Substitutes not used: Michael Ueltschey (GK), Antonio Ribeiro, Darko Kolic.
Toronto-Theo Zagar (GK), Joe Mattacchione, Adrian Serioux, Josue Mayard, Brian Ashton, David DiPlacido, Robbie Aristodemo (Elvis Thomas 46), Tyler Hughes, Nikola Vignjevic (Nicholas Blicharski 81), Sebastian Barclay (Ryan Lucas 62) Ali Ngon. Substitutes not used: Brian Rowland (GK), Jan Veenhoff, Shawn Faria.
Infractions: Montreal-Fronimadis (49 yellow), Santana (87 yellow), Barker (92 yellow); Toronto-Hughes (10 yellow), Mayard (31 yellow), Ashton (98 yellow), Blicharski (100 yellow).
Goals: Montreal-Sebrango (33), Matondo (72); Toronto-Vignevic (49 PK), Ngon (90 PK), Ngon (102).
Conditions: Sunny and warm. Field dry.
Attendance: 8,237
Three stars (as chosen by yours truly!): 1) Eduardo Sebrango, 2) Ali Ngon 3) Theo Zagar
