A very composed Toronto Lynx squad held the Montreal Impact to a scoreless draw in front of 9, 864 noisy spectators in a game that was played on a very hot sunny evening. The 0-0 tie was the second in a row for the Impact.
The Impact could not penetrate the Lynx defense the entire game. They sent some 15 shots at Toronto keeper Richard Goddard who finished the night with 10 saves and was named the second star of the game. At the other end, Greg Sutton made 6 saves on eight shots and kept the Lynx at bay. The Lynx, who allowed nine goals against in their last two games, brought in some reinforcements in the form of midfielders Edgar Bartolomeu and Rob Aristodemo and defender Nigel Henry, all signed after the Canadian USL transfer window opened on June 1st. The additions helped the team greatly as the Lynx played solidly in defense never allowing Impact forward Ali Gerba and Kevin Wilson much room to maneuver. The first dangerous play by the Impact only came in the 24th minute when a Masahiro Fukasawa's corner gave Goddard some trouble before he smothered it. Two minutes later, Patrick Leduc sent a great pass into the box but it went off Wilson's arm and was called for handball. Wilson sent a pass in to Gerba just outside the box in the 28th minute but Goddard reached it first and sent it out of harm's way. Gerba had another great chance three minutes later when he was fed another terrific pass but Goddard slid out and the knocked the ball out of play. Toronto's only good chance of the half came at the 44th minute when Jamie Dodds sent a cross into the box that Rumba Munthali headed into Sutton's arms.
In the second half the Lynx picked up the pace a bit. Sean Fraser, who came on to start the half, was outrunning two Impact defenders on the right when the ball came off his foot and into touch. Fraser used his speed to make things happen but it was the Impact who had the better of the chances. In the 60th minute the ball went unclaimed in the Toronto box and was pounced on by Fukasawa who sent a bullet just wide of the net. A minute later, Ze Roberto took a very hard shot from a difficult angle but Goddard was once again up to the task. In the 65th minute, substitute Antonio Ribeiro sent a terrific shot at Goddard from the edge of the box but the Toronto keeper made the save. Toronto had the last good chance of the game in the 78th minute when Fraser sent a good shot at Sutton from the right of the net that the Montreal keeper smothered. Ribeiro could have sent the home fans happy in the 90th minute but his shot from outside the box went well wide.
After the game Impact head coach Nick the Santis appeared frustrated at the lack of offense. When asked what he would do to get his forwards to score he answered, "If we can't score, we'll go get others who can score." Not the most reassuring words for Montreal's forwards. Darko Kolic , who came on late in the game blamed the Lynx's game tactics, saying, "It was very hard playing against 11 guys who played on top of the box. It's a matter of time. The goals will come."
The Impact players are now idle until June 22nd when they will host the struggling Charleston Battery.
Lineups:
Montreal-Greg Sutton (GK), Gabriel Gervais, Nevio Pizzolitto, Adam Braz (Lars Lyssand 69), Mauricio Vincello (Jason DiTullio 83), Patrick Leduc, Ze Roberto (Mesut Mert 63), Masahiro Fukasawa, Kevin Wilson (Darko Kolic 81), Mauro Biello (Antonio Ribeiro 54), Ali Gerba. Substitutes not used: Andrew Olivieri (GK), Adrian Cann.
Toronto-Richard Goddard (GK), Abraham Francois, Jeremie Piette, Nigel Henry, Rick Titus, Rumba Munthali, Edgar Bartolomeu, David Diplacido (Sean Fraser 46), Rob Aristodemo (Niels Dekker 74), Jamie Dodds (Robin Hart 87), Dave Simpson (Josue Mayard 69). Subsitutes not used: Matt Balkanloo (GK), Huffman El Tabe.
Goals: None.
Cautions: Bartolomeu (Toronto 30), Titus (Toronto 39), Braz (Montreal 56), Gervais (Montreal 88).
Ejections: None
Conditions: Sunny, hot (30 degrees Celsius)
Attendance: 9,864
Three stars: 1) Greg Sutton 2) Richard Goddard 3) Masahiro Fukasawa
