Impact suffer loss

Published on April 9, 2011 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Montreal Impact News Release


ST. PETERSBURG - The Montreal Impact (0-1-0) kicked off the 18th season in club history with a 1-0 loss versus FC Tampa Bay (1-0-0), Saturday, at Al Lang Stadium, in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Midfielder Takuya Yamada scored the game-winning goal for FC Tampa Bay in the 87th minute of play. Yamada beat goalkeeper Bill Gaudette with a shot from about 30 metres.

"We played the kind of match we needed to play on the road," said Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. "We created a number of chances for ourselves, but their goalkeeper made at least three key saves. It's unfortunate because we deserved at least a point tonight."

In the first half, the Montreal defensive line of Zurab Tsiskaridze, Nevio Pizzolitto, Hassoun Camara and Philippe Billy, stifled a number of FC Tampa Bay's offensive rushes.

"We played well defensively in the first half, which is what kept us in the game and allowed us to improve in the second half," mentioned captain Nevio Pizzolitto. "They didn't get many chances tonight, but one good shot was enough to give them the win. I'm confident in our club and I think we'll be tough to beat this season."

"This was a tough loss," explained Simon Gatti, who played his 100th career match with the Impact. "Surrendering a goal in the last five minutes, after playing a good road game, is really disappointing. We were really well-organized defensively and played a good team game. This is just the first match of many."

Two minutes before the winning goal, Tampa Bay was awarded a penalty kick, but Tsuyoshi Yoshitake missed his shot left of the Impact net.

Midfielder Luke Kreamalmeyer had several quality scoring chances. In the 41st minute, he stole the ball from an FC Tampa Bay defender and took a shot from point-blank range on goalkeeper Daryl Sattler, who made the save.

In the 47th minute, after taking a pass from Antonio Ribeiro behind the Tampa defense, Ali Gerba pivoted and took a shot from close range, but again, Sattler managed to make the save.

In the 59th minute, Sattler dove to his right to stop a high shot from Kreamalmeyer. The Impact midfielder volleyed a rebound after the Tampa Bay goalkeeper punched out a 35-metre free kick from Philippe Billy.

Sattler ended the match with eight saves.

The Impact hasn't won its season opening match since 2004 (0-3-4). Since the team's debut in 1993, the Impact has a record of six wins, eight losses and four draws in season opening matches (18 GF - 18 GA).

Defender Hicham Aaboubou (thigh), midfielders Leonardo Di Lorenzo (thigh) and David Testo (ankle), as well as forward Reda Agourram (thigh), did not travel with the club to Florida due to their injuries. Defender Richard Pelletier served the first game of a six-game suspension.

Defenders Amine Meftouh and Karl Ouimette, midfielder Kevin Luarca and forward Mircea Ilcu, all of the U21 Academy, were in the lineup for the first time in their careers. Ilcu made his debut with the first team when he replaced Amir Lowery in the 90th minute.

This was the first of four matches between the two clubs this season. The Impact will once again face FC Tampa Bay in its home opener on April 23 at Saputo Stadium. The following match takes place in Tampa Bay on May 21 and the season series wraps up on August 10 at Saputo Stadium.

The Impact continues its road trip on April 16 versus the Carolina RailHawks, before returning to Montreal for its home opener, April 23 at Saputo Stadium.

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