Gazette: Record turnout for Impact

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Record turnout for Impact
Crowd of 8,877 takes in home opener. Impact 0, Mariners 0; Club can't solve goalie Pickens despite relentless attack

Randy Phillips
The Gazette

Monday, May 17, 2004

Impact's Darko Kolic is turned away by Mariners 'keeper Matt Pickens during first-half scoring chance yesterday at Claude Robillard Stadium.

The Impact failed to win a game it should have even while playing a man short for almost the entire second half, but the franchise arguably notched a more important victory in its A-League home opener.

A record opening-day crowd of 8,877 at Claude Robillard Stadium - the second largest in franchise history - saw the Impact settle for a goalless overtime draw against the Virginia Beach Mariners yesterday.

While far from the offensive splurge the team had hoped with a revamped offence, the Impact still left its faithful satisfied with a season's worth of effort and scoring chances in a single afternoon.

"The only thing missing today was our finish and that's unfortunate because we really wanted the fans to have this one," midfielder and team captain Mauro Biello said.

"The effort was certainly there to win this game. We just have to work a little harder at finishing. But from what our fans saw today, I know they'll be back."

Yesterday's attendance topped last year's home-opening crowd of 7,128, another goalless draw against the Richmond Kickers.

It also was the second largest in team history behind the 9,414 on Aug. 13 to see the Impact and the Rochester Raging Rhinos - also a nil-nil result. As with that game, spectators were allowed to sit on the grass portion near field level once seats filled up.

Montreal Mayor Gerald Tremblay was the guest of Impact president Joey Saputo for the game, and while the pair attentively watched the Impact extend its season unbeaten streak to 4-0, there was also talk of the possibility of improvements to the stadium to accommodate more spectators.

"The first thing I impressed on the mayor is that we do have a great relationship with the people here at Claude Robillard," Saputo said. "That said, we are looking at different options to increase capacity and I think it was important for the mayor to understand, and see firsthand, that we are eventually going to need it.

"Our goal is to average 8,000 spectators a game this season," Saputo said. "If we do that, not having extra seating will be a problem."

The stadium's actual capacity is approximately 7,500. The team averaged 7,236 for 14 home games last season. With an additional stands put in areas between the permanent seating and the field, another 1,500 spectators could be easily accommodated, Saputo said.

"Talks with the city have been going on since last year," Saputo said. "If we continue to see numbers like we saw today, I'm confident we can get something done by sometime in June."

After a lacklustre first half and the ejection of midfielder Sandro Grande in the 48th minute after a second yellow card from referee Stephen DePiero, the Impact staged a relentless attack against the Mariners for the remainder of regulation time.

The club also came on strong for the two 10-minute sessions of overtime, but couldn't find the back of the net behind Virginia Beach goalkeeper Matt Pickens.

Pickens, who made five saves, faced 18 shots in the game. The best opportunities came from striker Eduardo Sebrango, who had a game-high six shots, and defender Jason DiTullo and Biello, each with two in the second half.

"It's always tough to play when you lose a man, but I think we showed the fans what we're capable of doing," Sebrango said. "Had we scored one goal, I think they would have seen three or four more. We should have won, but you're going to get games like that."

DePiero, whose work left a lot to be desired for both teams, sent Grande off for what appeared a borderline foul at best. But Grande was his own worst enemy when he caught DePiero's eye by yanking out a corner flagstick and throwing it to the ground in the 39th.

That cost DePiero his first yellow of the game and play didn't resume until the player put the flag back in an upright position. It was the first time this season Montreal played with a man disadvantage.

"It was tough to lose Sandro because I think in the last 20 minutes of the first half we started showing domination," head coach Nick DeSantis said. "But even with nine men we created chances. We just didn't put them away.

"Hopefully the crowd was pleased with what they saw today. They saw a really good offensive game. It's just too bad that we didn't score."

Impact 'keeper Greg Sutton faced 10 shots on goal and made seven saves for his fourth consecutive shutout of the season.

The Impact will play a friendly against a Haitian select team Sunday at 5 p.m. at Claude Robillard Stadium. The match is part of activities marking the bicentennial of Haiti's independence.

They return to A-League play with a home-and-home series against the Toronto Lynx, May 28 at the stadium, and May 29 at Centennial Stadium in Toronto.