Whitecaps Late Header Beats Impact

VANCOUVER WHITECAPS FC 1 – MONTREAL IMPACT 0
MONTREAL, QC – In the first game of five matches on the road, Vancouver Whitecaps FC (8W-3L-9D) defeated Canadian arch-rivals Montreal Impact (6W-8L-5D) 1-0 in the USSF D-2 Pro League on Wednesday evening.

Greg Janicki’s late header gave the Whitecaps their second straight league victory at Montreal’s Stade Saputo in less than a month. In a match that seemed destined to end in a goalless draw, Teitur Thordarson’s side found a way in the dying stages to claim three valuable away points against their fellow NASL Conference foes.

The win maintained the Whitecaps undefeated record against the Impact this season, with the ‘Caps having registered two wins and three draws in all competitions against the Quebec-based outfit. The midweek result also took Vancouver nine points clear of their next opponent in Carolina RailHawks, though the North Carolina-based club have four matches in hand on the Blue and White.

The ‘Caps made one change to their starting XI on Wednesday, with match-winner Janicki returning to centre back after a one-match suspension. The defender’s return saw Luca Bellisomo move back to central midfield, while youngster Ethan Gage had to settle for a place on the substitutes’ bench. Montreal, meanwhile, played former Whitecaps players Wesley Charles, Tony Donatelli, and David Testo in a 4-3-3 formation, with Impact goalkeeper Matt Jordan making his first start in 12 matches after recovering from a groin injury.

On an overcast summer’s evening in Montreal, a Stade Saputo crowd of 12,355 saw an even first half of play, with Vancouver making a bright start, as the ‘Caps successfully closed down their hosts when they were in possession of the ball.

The game’s first chance fell to the visitors on 10 minutes. Captain Martin Nash’s quickly taken free kick from the right found centre back Nelson Akwari at the far post, with the big defender’s header forcing a good save from Jordan. At the other end on 18 minutes, Impact returnee Ali Gerba had a glorious chance to break the deadlock after being on the receiving end of fellow striker Philippe Billy’s cross in the Whitecaps box. However, the Canadian international’s first touch let him down at a crucial stage.

Past Whitecaps versus Impact clashes have had the odd off-the-ball incidents of note over the years. On 23 minutes, the latest melee unfold ahead of a Vancouver corner. ‘Caps striker Nizar Khalfan suddenly went down in the Impact box – thus causing a shoving match between both sets of players. The skirmish resulted in a yellow card being shown to Montreal defender Simon Gatti by match referee Justin Tasev.

The even nature of the opening half was reflected in the similar type of chances that both sides created. On the half-hour mark, Montreal’s Philippe Billy curled a right-footed free kick around a five-man Whitecaps wall, but just wide of Jay Nolly’s goal. Vancouver’s response was a similar set-piece opportunity for defender Zurab Tsiskaridze on 40 minutes. The Georgian’s strike, however, sailed high and wide of the target.

The last chance before the break fell to the hard-working Khalfan in the two minutes of time added on. The Tanzanian international’s darting run from the right flank to Montreal’s byline resulted in his low cross being spilled in front of goal by Jordan before the home side were able to clear the danger.

It meant both sides were scoreless at halftime.

The second half saw a repeat of Vancouver’s start to the game, as they looked the sharper side shortly after the restart. Quebec native Philippe Davies and Khalfan had goal-bound attempts fly off-target, while on 54 minutes, Bellisomo took a Cornelius Stewart lay-off on the edge of the Impact box before drilling a low shot that was saved comfortably by Jordan. On 62 minutes, the visitors went even closer, as Stewart took a pass from Khalfan before hitting the Montreal side-netting from a tight angle.

As good viewing as it was for Whitecaps fans, the Impact always find a way to create chances of their own at home. On 64 minutes, Tsiskaridze had trouble dealing with a ball into the Whitecaps box, with Gerba pouncing on the loose ball. With the goal seemingly at his mercy, the former Toronto FC striker’s shot deflected away for a Montreal corner. Two minutes later, another recent Montreal returnee in midfielder Antonio Ribeiro forced a fine save from Nolly after taking a Gerba through ball before breaking in on the Vancouver goal.

With the match still a stalemate, the predictable set of substitutions started to occur from both sides. Vancouver’s change on 72 minutes was a notable one, as new signing Ridge Mobulu replaced Blake Wagner to make his Whitecaps debut following his move from Swiss club FC Lausanne-Sport.

Though the match lacked goals, it certainly did not lack opportunities. On 81 minutes, two former Whitecaps players combined for a Montreal chance, as Donatelli’s through ball allowed substitute Eduardo Sebrango to attempt a chip over the onrushing Nolly in the Whitecaps box. The Cuban’s effort, however, could only find the roof of the Vancouver net. At the other end, Jordan needed to be at his best to stop Stewart’s low strike from sneaking past him a minute later.

It was a game in which the last chance might prove decisive. On 88 minutes, that very scenario came true, and for the visiting Whitecaps. Wes Knight’s trademark long throw-in from the right found Janicki at the far post. Though he had to fight through a crowd of players, the centre back’s header found its way into the far corner of the Impact goal for his third goal of the season, and second in as many games in Montreal. In fact, his last goal was Vancouver’s equalizer in the 2-1 away win versus the Impact on June 30.

It was another dramatic strike by the ‘Caps at Stade Saputo, and although their defensive capabilities were tested in the five minutes of time added on, Thordarson’s side held on for a crucial road win over one of their biggest rivals.

90 FULL MINUTES

The Whitecaps will look for similar fortune on Saturday night, as they visit another NASL Conference rival in the RailHawks in Carolina. Montreal, meanwhile, will look to regroup when they visit Crystal Palace Baltimore in Maryland on Saturday evening.

Scoring Summary:
88′ – VAN – Greg Janicki (Wes Knight)

Match Stats:
Shots: Vancouver 9 – Montreal 9
Saves: Vancouver 4 – Montreal 4
Fouls: Vancouver 13 – Montreal 13
Corners: Vancouver 4 – Montreal 6
Offsides: Vancouver 2 – Montreal 3

Cautions:
21′ – MON – Antonio Ribeiro
23′ – MON – Simon Gatti

Vancouver Whitecaps FC
1.Jay Nolly; 77.Zurab Tsiskaridze, 2.Nelson Akwari, 14.Greg Janicki, 8.Wes Knight; 23.Blake Wagner (19.Ridge Mobulu 72′), 7.Martin Nash, 3.Luca Bellisomo, 15.Philippe Davies (4.Chris Williams 71′); 29.Nizar Khalfan, 39.Cornelius Stewart (20.Ethan Gage 90′)

Subs not used: 31.Simon Thomas, 9.Marlon James, 13.Alex Elliott, 22.Takashi Hirano

Montreal Impact
1.Matt Jordan; 2.Hicham Aaboubou (3.Adam Braz 87′), 16.Wesley Charles, 24.Simon Gatti (18.Marco Terminesi 90′), 5.Nevio Pizzolitto; 14.Tony Donatelli, 26.Antonio Ribeiro, 7.David Testo; 19.Reda Agourram (28.Peter Byers 78′), 21.Philippe Billy, 10.Ali Gerba (12.Eduardo Sebrango 74′)

Subs not used: 22.Srdjan Djekanovic, 15.Patrick Leduc, 33.Bonheur Aubey

MONTREAL IMPACT GAME REPORT
The Montreal Impact (6-8-5) lost 1-0 to its Canadian rivals the Vancouver Whitecaps (8-3-9), following a goal by defender Greg Janicki in the 88th minute of play, Wednesday, in front of 12,355 fans at Saputo Stadium.
Posted near the six-yard box, Janicki headed a long throw-in from the right side taken by defender Wes Knight, beating Impact goalkeeper Matt Jordan to his right.

“It is very disappointing to have missed out on the three points tonight,” said Impact defender Wesley Charles. “They were fast in attack and they maintained a lot of pressure on us all game, but overall we played well defensively. It is important that we rebound quickly and to make sure we don’t let this loss affect us negatively.”

“We played a good game, but we continue to give up goals late in games too many times,” said Philippe Billy. “These are mistakes due to lack of concentration and they cost us.”

The entire game was a heated affair, demonstrated by the nine shots, four saves, 13 fouls and four corners for each side. The Impact did, however, dominate possession.

Prior to the Whitecaps goal, the Impact created two good scoring chances. In the 66th minute, following numerous short passes in the Vancouver zone, forward Ali Gerba lobbed the ball over the Whitecaps defense towards Antonio Ribeiro, who took a low shot that goalkeeper Jay Nolly saved with his feet. Then, in the 81st minute, Tony Donatelli sent a deep ball from centre field towards Eduardo Sebrango, who managed to be one-on-one with the Whitecaps’ goalkeeper, only to lob the ball over the Caps’ net.

“We had some good opportunities in the second half, but we weren’t able to capitalize,” said Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. “The game was decided by a play in which we should have defended better. We have not played this game during 90 minute like it was a championship final.”

Goalkeeper Matt Jordan, who missed the last 11 games with a groin injury, made his return. Jordan was put to the test in the 10th and 82nd minutes, frustrating the Whitecaps with two diving saves.

Defender Stephen deRoux (cheek), along with midfielders Rocco Placentino (groin) and Leonardo Di Lorenzo (calf), missed the game due to injury, while midfielder Filipe Soares served an automatic one-game suspension following an ejection.

Canadian forward Marco Terminesi, who joined the Impact on Tuesday, played his first game for the Impact, making his debut during injury time of the second half.

Champions following a victory against the Whitecaps in last year’s final, the Impact have not won a game against Vancouver (0-2-3) in five meetings this season. The Impact suffered a similar fate against the Whitecaps on June 30, allowing a goal in the 90th minute.

The Impact also completed its four-game home stand at Saputo Stadium with two wins and two losses.

The team will play its next two matches on the road, this Saturday in Baltimore (7 pm, palacebaltimore.com), and in North Carolina, on Saturday, August 7 (7 pm, Radio-Canada, carolinarailhawks.com). The Impact will then return home on Wednesday, August 11, to face again Baltimore (7:30 pm, radio-canada.ca/sports, CKAC Sports, The TEAM 990).

OTHER HIGHLIGHT
44th minute – Matt Jordan blocked a shot from Whitecaps’ forward Cornelius Stewart, which was then cleared by the Hicham Aaboubou, the Setanta Sports player of the game.

THE NEXT 3 GAMES
- Saturday, July 31 – IMPACT @ Baltimore – Maryland SoccerPlex – 7 pm (palacebaltimore.com)
- Saturday, August 7- IMPACT @ Carolina – WakeMed Park – 7 pm (Radio-Canada, carolinarailhawks.com)
- Wednesday, August 11 – Baltimore @ IMPACT – Saputo Stadium – 7:30pm (radio-canada.ca/sports, CKAC Sports, The TEAM 990)

MATCH SUMMARY
PHOTOS