The Montreal Impact opened the season with a 1-0 win in Seattle on Saturday night, with captain Davy Arnaud scoring the game's only goal in the 35th minuteal. Not only was it Marco Schällibaum's first win as a head coach in MLS, but it was also a win on the road, a feat that the Impact were only able to do twice in 2012.
Here is what the Impact head coach had to say following the game.
On the win…
"I tip my hat to the team tonight, as we played a really good side and we did very well defensively. We had some difficult moments, but we were ready to battle all game and this win is very good for the team morale. Not many teams win here."
On what Davy Arnaud brings to the team...
"He's bring a lot of things, because this is a new position and he’s very good with the team. To score the goal is very important to go up 1-nil. He’s a very good captain also to guide the team on the field. I’m very happy with him and with the rest of the players."
On Troy Perkins...
"Very stable. He’s very good for the defenders when you have a goalkeeper like him behind."
On the midfielders interchanging on the attack...
"I wanted the midfield to go deep and there was the perfect timing of Felipe and Davy to score the goal."
On the older players’ experience and what that means to the team...
"You saw tonight what Troy (Perkins) brought in the goal and Alessandro (Nesta) was like a wall. They bring a lot of experience. It’s nice to have no goals allowed."
On feeling fortunate about Seattle’s near misses...
"Yeah, but that’s part of the game. It was lucky in this situation because you’re going against a very good team. We also had two or three chances to make it 2-0 and we also hit the post. So that’s the game and it was a little bit of luck to have here because Seattle is a good team. And when you have 40,000 in the stadium, it’s not easy to play."
