Montreal Impact as the Manic
This was written before the match, but not published, because I’m a failure.
The Part I Write Before The Match :
OK, this is a far better lineup than I was expecting. I figured, keep this light and close, go for it Friday and Tuesday. This weekend should be interesting at the least. Montreal is going for it as well, Piatti, Mancosu and Dzemaili are starting. This is going to be a game, kids. And who else is starting for Montreal… oh shit…
Bold Predictions :
- Lovitz (Season 10 Dan Lovitz) will get at least an assist (I know, right?) just beacuse
- Hamilton will get a goal
- Toronto will win by two (which I’m now optimistic about)
On to the Match :
18’ – Ciman has a long go forcing an Irwin save over the bar.
19’ – GOAL – corner taken sends it back to Donadel, shot in and Irwin can’t control it, gives up a big rebound and Fisher heads it in unmarked.
CHEESEMAKERS 1, ROBINS 0
23’ – Piatti sends a ball through to Dzemaili, out runs Bradley but Mavinga comes sliding in and clear the danger.
28’ – Edwards takes a nice ball from Delgado, fires into the woodwork.
29’ – GOAL – Lovitz lying on the ground, play on, Altidore gets the ball in front of goal, fires and Creapeau gets most of it but not enough as it bounces into the back of the net.
CHEESEMAKERS 1, ROBINS 1
31’ – Lovitz gets subbed out for Camara.
39’ – Piatti gets his pocket picked by Mavinga and keeps it in to clear it away. Brilliant stuff.
45+2’ – YELLOW – Hamilton gets booked for taking the ball before a free kick where he was fouled.
Halftime Mood : “How are Montreal not winning?” ~@allangorman
He’s right.
53’ – PENALTY – Piatti gets hauled down.
55’ – MISS – Piatti launched the shit out of that one, aiming for the back of the stadium (I suspect)
62’ – SUB – Giovinco in for Hamilton
62’ – SUB – Vazquez for Osorio
64’ – YELLOW – Zavaleta gets a weak booking running over Piatti
78’ – Creapeau makes a great save on an Altidore low shot from 15 yards out.
79’ – SUB – Morrow in for Edwards
81’ – Donadel gets a pass back to the top of the 18, and fires it just wide of the right post.
82’ – Morrow cuts a ball back to the top of the 18 and Giovinco fires over the bar.
84’ – Giovinco free kick launches it well over the bar.
87’ – Ciman free kick over the wall and Irwin forced to palm the ball over the cross bar.
89’ – YELLOW – Mavinga booked for taking down Ballou on the counter attack.
2 minutes of extra time
90+1’ – Giovinco gets in with a man on his back, fires a low shot that’s stopped by Creapeau
90+2’ – Altidore takes a Beitashour pass, takes two touches to settle and fires wide ten yards out from goal.
Full Time : Montreal 1, Toronto 1
Man of the Match : Mavinga was excellent
Goat of the Game : Nobody truly goat-worthy. Some absentee performances to be fair.
Ref Rating : 2 out of 5. Mostly because I don’t care for Petrescu but because I felt a few of those cards were soft.
I Am Not The Gaffer, But… : That wasn’t working for 60 minutes and it also wasn’t working after 30 minutes.
In Case You PVR’d It : watch the two goals and the last 20 minutes.
Bold Predictions Results :
- Failed it. Him injured.
- Failed it. Nothing happened other than hitting the post.
- Failed it. Felt like it could have happened even if they didn’t deserve it.
It was a bit frustrating to watch. Mostly because I overlooked Vazquez’s contribution to this match and every man he’s in. The first half, there was a disconnect between the midfield and the forwards. And that gap is usually filled by Vasquez.
Also this game truly felt like it was Montreal’s game to win. They were at home, they knew how to get around Toronto’s defense, they were having a heck of a game out there, and yet only managed one goal and that’s on them.
The real tragedy, or gift, was that Toronto nearly stole the match at the death. Either one of the last two attempts from Altidore or Giovinco could have went in and normally one of them does go in. Also, full marks to Maxime Creapeau, he’s a quality keeper, had a very good match and was one of the few Canadians to play the full 90 (don’t mean to get preachy, but the irony doesn’t escape me).
On the upside, the rematch on Tuesday should be an absolute treat. As Billy Red Lyons would say, “don’tcha dare miss it!”
Player Ratings : Irwin 7, Beitashour 6.5, Zavaleta 6.5, Moor 6.5, Mavinga 7.5, Delgado 6, Bradley 6, Osorio 6 (Vazquez N/A), Edwards 6 (Morrow N/A), Altidore 7, Hamilton 6 (Giovinco N/A)
Unused Substitutions : Hernandez, Bono, Endoh, Cooper
