MONTREAL, Quebec – The Montreal Impact was shutout 3-0 by Toronto FC, Wednesday, losing for the first time in three games at new Stade Saputo and for the second time at home this season.
Postgame comments
Toronto FC opened the scoring in the 52nd minute when Torsten Frings converted a free-kick from about 25 yards out. The former German international’s high blast squeezed just between the wall and goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts.
The Reds doubled their lead in the 72nd minute. Forward Ryan Johnson corralled a pass from midfielder Nick Soolsma at the top of the box, faked a shot that put the Impact defenders off balance, and then fired around them beating Ricketts top, right corner.
TFC found the back of the net a third time in the 78th minute. Defender Ashtone Morgan played a low ball across the crease from deep down the left flank where Dutch striker Danny Koevermans ran onto the pass and fired home a right-footed blast.
“We were totally outcompeted tonight,” said Impact head coach Jesse Marsch. “Toronto came in here, they wanted it more, they had more heart, and they fought for it. We came up short in all competitive categories. This is a disappointing loss and we have to find a way to recover. We have a big game against a good team on Saturday.”
“This loss is a question of mental strength,” said midfielder Patrice Bernier. “We have to come into every game with the same killer instinct we had in our first two games. Even against Chivas, we lost, but played pretty well for most of the game. Today we just didn’t come out and compete.”
“If we play like that, we are not going to become the team we can be. It’s frustrating,” said team captain Davy Arnaud. “It’s embarrassing. We are a better team and we really let ourselves down.”
TFC almost opened the scoring in the early seconds of the game when Johnson found a ball that was bouncing in the box from about eight yards out, but goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts made a great save, diving to his left to stop the ball with an outstretched hand.
The Impact then came back with a chance of its own in the 4th minute when midfielder Patrice Bernier played a through ball down the left flank to Designated Player Marco Di Vaio, who made his debut with the Impact. The striker then sent a cross far post with his left foot. Captain Davy Arnaud got a head on it, but goalkeeper Milos Kocic caught the ball easily.
Pressing in the game’s final minutes, midfielder Patrice Bernier fired a hard, low shot from the corner of the box that went cross crease, landing on the foot of defender Hassoun Camara. His right-footed shot towards centre of goal was blocked by a diving Kocic.
On a positive note, the Impact dominated possession 63-37% and finishing the game with a passing accuracy of 81%, almost doubling TFC in total passes completed with 403.
This match was the fourth in a series of five in 15 days in the month of June for the club.
Highlights : MTL 0, TOR 3
Next Game
The Impact will hit the road to play D.C. United at RFK Stadium, in Washington, on Saturday, June 30, at 7:30pm (ET). The Impact will then play its next home game at Stade Saputo, against Sporting Kansas City, on July 4, at 7pm (ET). New mini-season packages are available via impactmontreal.com, or by calling 514-328-3668.
Lineups
MTL: GK - Donovan Ricketts; D - Jeb Brovsky, Hassoun Camara, Shavar Thomas, Zarek Valentin (Eduardo Sebrango 65’); M – Davy Arnaud, Felipe, Patrice Bernier, Collen Warner, Lamar Neagle (Sinisa Ubiparipovic 76’); F – Marco Di Vaio (Sanna Nyassi 55’)
Subs not used: GK – Evan Bush; D – Tyson Wahl, Karl W. Ouimette; F – Justin Braun
TFC: GK - Milos Kocic; D - Jeremy Hall (Nick Soolsma 45’), Richard Eckersley, Logan Emory, Ashtone Morgan; M - Terry Dunfield, Torsten Frings, Julian de Guzman (Doneil Henry 57’), Eric Avila (Reggie Lambe 72’), F- Danny Koevermans, Ryan Johnson
Subs not used: GK – Quillan Roberts; D - Miguel Aceval, Aaron Maund; M - Luis Silva
GOALS:
TFC – Frings (unassisted) 52’
TFC – Johnson (Soolsma) 72’
TFC – Koevermans (Morgan, Johnson) 78’
CAUTIONS:
MTL – Camara 27’
MTL – Nyassi 85’
MTL – Bernier 95’
