ROCHESTER, New York – The Montreal Impact remains undefeated in Reserve League action (2-0-1) after playing the Rochester Rhinos (USL Pro) to a 1-1 draw on the road Friday night at Sahlen’s Stadium, in Rochester, New York. Defender Karl W. Ouimette scored his first for the Impact in the 87th minute.
The Rhinos opened the scoring in the 19th minute on a goal by forward Tam McManus. Midfielder Jimmy Banks, deep down the left flank, played a cross to Banks who was alone in front of goal and headed it home past Impact goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau.
The Impact tied it up in the 87th minute when Sinisa Ubiparipovic played a through ball down the right flank to wing back Karl W. Ouimette. The former Academy captain’s shot from inside the box deflected off of a sliding Rhinos defender and sailed over keeper Kristian Nicht and into the net far side for Ouimette’s first goal in an Impact uniform.
Rochester put a lot of pressure on the Impact in the first 10 minutes, forcing Crépeau to make two big saves in the 2nd and 4th minutes in his first start in MLS Reserve League action. In the 8th minute, the Rhinos broke in 2-on-1, but a perfectly timed slide by defender Calum Mallace broke up the attempted pass in front of goal.
In the 52nd minute, a give and go between Maximiliano Rodriguez and Blake Smith sprung the American midfielder, but his shot went wide left of goalkeeper Kristian Nicht.
A low cross along the six yard box found the Rhinos’ McManus at the far post, but his point blank shot towards the open net was blocked by Amine Meftouh, sliding in desperation in the 54th minute.
In the 65th minute, the Impact earned a free-kick from a dangerous spot, but the attempt was block. Following the ensuing corner kick, Blake Smith took a left-footed shot from outside right of the penalty area, but it was scooped up by the Rhinos’ keeper.
Crépeau came up big again the second half when, in the 81st minute, Kendall McFayden dribbled towards goal on a breakaway, but Crepeau came charging out and slid towards the striker’s feet to stop the shot near the top of the box and then robbed Tyler Rosenlund from point blank range seven minutes later, diving to his right.
Midfielder Sinisa Ubiparipovic wore the captain’s armband for the matchup that renewed rivalries between the two clubs after a number of playoff confrontations from 1996 to 2004 in second division.
The return leg of this two game series in the MLS Reserve League is set for July 21, at Stade Saputo.
Post-game comment
“It was a tough game for us tonight,” said Impact assistant coach Philippe Eullaffroy. “We had a difficult first half and we had to make sure that we realized that it wasn’t enough to just show up, especially after a good game against FC Dallas. We showed some pride and raised our game in the second half.”
Upcoming games
The Impact returns to the pitch in regular season action on June 15 in Columbus against the Crew at 7:30pm (ET). The teams then meet the next day, at 11am in Reserve League play at Crew Stadium.
The Impact’s next home game is in June 19, at 8pm against the Houston Dynamo at Stade Saputo and will celebrate Father’s Day. In addition, a new 3-game package for upcoming home games is now available, starting at $57, with discounts up to 30%.
Lineups
MTL – GK- Maxime Crépeau; D-Karl W. Ouimette, Wandrille Lefèvre, Calum Mallace, Amine Meftouh; M-Jérémy Gagnon-Laparé (Dominique Morin 73’), Zakaria Messoudi, Blake Smith, Maximiliamo Rodriguez (Frédéric Lajoie-Gravelle* 81’), Sinisa Ubiparipovic; F-Victor Ndiaye
Academy players
ROC – GK-Kristian Nicht; D-Tyler Polak, Georgios Kyriazis, Troy Robert; M-Gabe Latigue, Jimmy Banks (Mike Reidy 60’), Tyler Rosenlund; Lance Rosenlund; Daniel Earls (Josh Faga 73’); F-Tam McManus (Kendell McFayden 79’), Blake Brettschneider
Unused subs: GK-Brandon Miller; D-Tyler Bellamy; M-George Tor
Goals
ROC – McManus (Banks) 19’
MTL – Ouimette 87’
Cautions
ROC – Brettschneider 43’
MTL – Messoudi 53’
MTL – Meftouh 56’
