Matondo's marker sinks Silverbacks

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Matondo's marker sinks Silverbacks
Impact 1, Silverbacks 0

JOHN MEAGHER
The Gazette


Monday, July 21, 2003

The Montreal Impact sent another record crowd of 8,307 home happy yesterday afternoon with a 1-0 win over the Atlanta Silverbacks - a result that flattered the overmatched visitors.

With a few breaks and a little more polish around the opposition goal, the Impact could have won in a landslide at packed Claude Robillard Stadium.

"We did everything well today, except finish," said Impact coach Bob Lilley, whose team rebounded from a 3-2 overtime loss to the Toronto Lynx last Wednesday with a dominating effort against the struggling Silverbacks, who fell to 3-11-4.

"It was a very professional outing by our guys," said Lilley, whose team improved to 12-4-3 and moved one point ahead of the Rochester Raging Rhinos in the A-League's Northeast Division standings.

"We held them to minimal chances, created a bunch ourselves and got the result we wanted."

Impact forward Sita-Taty Matondo scored the game's only goal in the 18th minute when he tapped in a loose ball during a wild goal-mouth scramble that began with Martin Nash's well-placed corner kick.

Nevio Pizzolitto also had a crack at it before Matondo notched his fourth goal of the season.

"It was my only chance and I made the best of it," said Matondo, who got a rare start at forward in place of resting veteran Mauro Biello, who entered the game as a substitute in the 52nd minute.

The Impact spent most of the game in Atlanta's end of the field, outshooting the Silverbacks 17-4. Montreal also held a 10-1 advantage in corner kicks.

"We played a great game today," said midfielder Zé Roberto, who booted the ball off the crossbar in the 58th minute and was robbed by Silverbacks goalkeeper Bryheem Hancock on another quality scoring opportunity in the first half.

"If we'd gotten a few bounces, the score could have been 4-0 or 5-0 in our favour," Roberto said.

The Impact dominated the first half and enjoyed a 10-3 advantage in shots.

Only the acrobatics of Hancock kept the score close.

At the other end of the field, Impact goalkeeper Greg Sutton needed to make only one save to earn his seventh shutout in 17 starts.

The stymied Atlanta forwards had little room to manoeuvre against the Impact backline, led by veteran Lloyd Barker.

"Our game plan was to smother them and that's exactly what we did," said Barker, who found encouragement from the record crowd, which surpassed the previous high of 8,237 set last Wednesday against Toronto.

"Our fans probably don't get enough credit for our success, but they've been a big help to us this season," Barker said.

"We've had games where they've deserved the first, second and third stars.

"We're just glad we could deliver them a win today."

The Impact plays host to the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.

Notes - Impact players Matondo, Jason DiTullio, Andres Arango and Chris Lemire will join the Canadian under-20 national team this week to compete at the U.S. Soccer Festival, July 22-30 in Houston. The foursome will miss two Impact games against Atlanta (July 26) and Pittsburgh (Aug. 3).

jmeagher@thegazette.canwest.com