SoccerImpact gritty, not pretty, in draw with Olimpia

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The victory sees the Impact remain in first place in Group C of the Champions League ahead of Mexicans Atlante FC, who beat Joe Public of Trinidad 2-0 to secure the other quarter-final berth from Group C.

All that remains for the Impact is a trip to Cancun next week to face Atlante in a match that will decide who tops the group. A draw would be enough for Montreal, but a loss would see the Mexicans leapfrog the Impact and clinch first place heading into the quarter-final draw.

So there is still a bit of work to be done for Montreal. Finishing first in Group C would be a big plus for the Impact, as they would then be drawn against one of the second-place finishers from the other groups in the quarter-finals. If they want to come away from Cancun with at least a point, they will have to be back to their best after a workmanlike performance against Olimpia.

Conditions played a factor

Tuesday night’s game wasn’t a classic by any means. The weather in Montreal - cold, wet and windy - was never going to allow for that. But Montreal knew going in to the game that a point would be enough to see them advance, and they did just enough to get there.

They took the lead in the 40th minute through Roberto Brown following some tenacious play from Sandro Grande. After playing a one-two with Brown on the edge of the Olimpia box, Grande fought off a challenge and slid in on Olimpia keeper Noel Valladares. The ball popped up for Brown who, with his back to goal, fired a volley over his shoulder to give the Impact the lead.

It was a lead that lasted all of five minutes.

Olimpia fired back straight away. A perfect give-and-go from Ramiro Bruschi and Wilmer Velasquez saw Bruschi find himself all alone in front of Impact keeper Matt Jordan. The striker lofted a deft chip over the outstretched arms of Jordan to give Olimpia a lifeline heading into the second half.

But Montreal had chances to pull ahead early in the second half. Both Stephano Pesoli and Leonardo DiLorenzo should have added to Montreal’s tally, but they were unable to find a way past Valladares in goal.

At the other end, Jordan had his left post to thank for keeping Olimpia off the scoresheet. Jordan came to collect a cross from the right, but the wind carried the ball over his head, striking the foot of the post. An inevitable scramble ensued, and after some desperate defending from the Impact, they were able to clear the danger.

Canada's favourite ref

Aside from the threat posed by the opposition, the Impact had to deal with some questionable decisions from the referee, Benito Archundia, as well.

Fans of Canadian soccer will be very familiar with Mr. Archundia. He gifted Honduras a penalty in World Cup qualifying in 2004, denying Canada a precious 1-0 victory in Edmonton. He also disallowed a legitimate Canadian goal against the USA in the 2007 Gold Cup semifinals, a game the Americans eventually went on to win. Needless to say, I’m not a member of Mr. Archundia’s Fan Club.

Last night he had a poor game, to put it mildly. Aside from missing numerous fouls, he somehow managed to miss a blatant red card.

Rocco Placentino was harassing Hendry Thomas near the corner flag in the Olimpia end in the second half. Thomas swung his arm in retaliation, striking Placentino in the face, sending the Impact winger sprawling. Now if that’s not serious foul play and violent conduct, I don’t know what is. Yet Mr. Archundia somehow waved play on.

In the end it didn’t matter, as Montreal preserved their point and celebrated their passage into the quarter-finals. It is the least that they deserve, because so far they have been the toast of the Champions League.

The match against Olimpia was devoid of some of the slick passing and quick-paced, counter-attacking football that we’ve seen from the Impact lately, but they showed a gritty determination to get the job done. That same determination is going to be needed in the final group game against Atlante next week in Cancun.

Not a bad place to end your season though, is it?

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