May 10th, 2003 Toronto Lynx vs Montreal Impact game report from Ontario Soccer Web

Ze Roberto, Nash Combine to Tame the Lynx
May 11, 2003

(Lino Terra, Editor, Ontario Soccer Web) - Midfielder Ze Roberto scored once in each half, both setup up by Martin Nash, to give the Montreal Impact (1-1-0) a 2-0 victory over the Lynx (1-1-0) in the Toronto club's home opener on Saturday.

It was a choppy game played mostly in the air due to the poor field conditions. Both teams had stretches of possession and positive play, but scoring chances were few and far between. The Impact came out of the gate quickly, using their speed up front and size in the back to keep the Lynx on their heels. Toronto tried to force the ball deep, but they were continually outnumbered in the offensive zone.  At one point Mauricio Vincello could be seen pleading with his teammates after yet another pass attempt was swallowed up by the Montreal defence.

Martin Nash, recently acquired from Macclesfield, an English 3rd division club, show his class and vision throughout the game. He had the first big chance of the game in the 7th minute, forcing Theo Zagar to make a brilliant kick save off his one timer from 11 yards out. 

The Lynx started to get their legs about midway through the first half and gradually started to control the ball and press the Montreal defence.  However, as was the case most of last season, they were unable to make the 'money' pass to create a good scoring opportunity.

A disturbing trend that was apparent in the first half eventually led to Toronto's downfall.  The Impact players seemed to get to every ball first, as the Lynx defenders seemed content to challenge for the ball only after it was first played by a Montreal forward.  This allowed the Impact to create offensive chances with flick-ons and one-touch passing.

In the 30th minute, the Impact won yet another corner and Martin Nash flighted a nifty cross into the area that 5'7" Ze Roberto headed into the far corner past the defenseless keeper.  The only player even close to him was teammate Nevio Pizzolitto.

The Lynx continued to press forward after the Montreal goal, and with 13 minutes to play, Ali Ngon was hoping for a penalty call when he was restrained in the box by a Montreal defender.  The turning point for the Lynx appeared to come in the 35th minute when Argentinean Sebastian Barclay, a new signing from the Chilean 1st division, was elbowed in the face deep in the Montreal zone.  The infraction happened within 10 feet of the linesman but no call was made. Barclay had to leave the game and needed five stitches to close the cut. Barclay came to the Lynx as a proven scorer in South America and had scored the winner in Toronto's first game.

In the second half, Toronto's midfield started to take over the game. Joe Mattachione, Brian Ashton and Nikki Vignjevic combined well to maintain possession and produce chances, with Vignjevic really standing out. In the 49th minute, Vignjevic and Mattachione joined nicely to set up Ryan Lucas in the box, who was unable to direct the ball past Greg Sutton in the Montreal goal.

Three minutes later the game was over.  Vincello was dispossessed in midfield, and that allowed Martin Nash to race down the wing and pick out a wide open Ze Roberto with his cross. Ze Roberto's header beat Zagar and the Impact were pretty much assured of the three points.

Toronto's best chance of the game came with just under 20 minutes to play. Robbie Aristodemo sent a cross into the box that was met by the head of a charging Vincello. Greg Sutton made a stunning reaction save to preserve the shutout.

Notes: The Montreal Ultras showed they are a no-class group by parading a vulgar banner through the crowd prior to the game. The announced attendance for the game was 2,555. The Lynx averaged 1,730 fans per game in 2002...Toronto mayoral candidate John Nunziata took the ceremonial opening kick off...Montreal's win gives them the early lead in the race for the 2003 Voyageurs Cup...The game will be broadcast on Rogers Cable 10 in Toronto on Sunday May 11 at 7:00pm. The game was carried live in both English and French radio stations in Montreal... Toronto's next game is home to the expansion Syracuse Salty Dogs on Wednesday May 14th. Game time is 12:00 pm.

Lynx Player Ratings (Out of 10)

GK Theo Zagar [7] - Zagar had no chance on the goals and was solid when he had to be. He made a great save in the first half and the word around is that Holger Osieck has is eye on Theo for a possible National team call up.

DF Mauricio Vincello [6] - Vincello was involved in a lot of the offensive breakouts down the left wing, and even had a great chance on goal late in the game. It was his miscue that allowed the Impact to start the counter attack that led to the second Montreal goal.

DF Adrian Serioux [6] - Serioux needed some time to get on the same page as his new defensive partners, but was solid for most of the game.  More aggressive play in his own area is needed to reduce the amount of free headers given away to the opposition.

DF Jan Veenhof [7] - Veenhof showed skill and confidence in his home debut for the Lynx.  He seemed to have a bit of trouble with the speed of the Montreal strikers, but played a solid game overall.

DF Josue Mayard [5] - Mayard never looked comfortable in this game. He gave the ball away far too often and rushed his decisions on his few forays up the field.

MF Joe Mattachione [6] - Mattachione started off slowly, but came alive as the match progressed. He was able to create some chances as well as help shutdown Martin Nash after his early dominance.

MF Nikki Vignjevic [7] - Once Vignjevic started moving into the middle of the field, he put his stamp on the game.  He began to control the midfield and create offensive breakthroughs.  He was substituted early in the second half, presumably due to fitness, as he was Toronto's best field player up to that point.

MF Robbie Aristodemo [5] - Aristodemo had a very quiet game. He barely touched the ball in the first half, but managed to create Toronto's only real chance in the second. Robbie wasn't able to produce much offence against the big and quick Montreal defence.

MF Brian Ashton [6] - Ashton showed some much improved ball skills over last season and did well on many occasions to maintain possession and start some offensive thrusts.  As with the entire team, his weakness was the inability to make the play to create the really good scoring chance.

F Sebastian Barclay [5] - Due to injury, Barclay only played 38 minutes.  During his time on the pitch he was unable to create any space against the bigger Impact central defenders.

F Ali Ngon [6] - Ngon won himself a starting job in pre-season, but was unable to muster much offense in this game. In a game of long lead passes, he was unable to maintain possession and shield to ball long enough to allow support to arrive. He did show some determination on more than one occasion in tracking down the ball after being dispossessed.

Substitutes:

F Ryan Lucas [6] - Lucas came on to replace the injured Barclay late in the first half. The taller Lucas provided a better target for the midfield, but he was unable to find the net.

MF Elvis Thomas [6] - Thomas came on in the second half for Vignjevic. He had a half-chance late in the game to break the shutout, but played a quiet game otherwise.

MF David DiPlacido [6] - DiPlacido came on in the last half hour for Ashton. He provided a bit of an offensive spark, including a late setup of an Ali Ngon chance.

D Nick Blicharski [NR] - Former CPSL player Nick Blicharski played 11 minutes, coming on for Josue Mayard.

Coaching:

Peter Pinizzotto [6] - Apparently Pinizzotto did not realize that the Impact central defenders were about 3-4" taller than his strikers as the plan of attack early on was to send high balls into the penalty area...However the team adjusted well and did control the game for long stretches...The lack of scoring chances must be a concern.




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