From Canada Kicks:
In 1994, before an overflow crowd at Stade Claude - Robillard, the Impact were the toast of Quebec after capturing North Americas elite soccer crown. Since the time of their biggest triumph they have always been odds on favourites to challenge for the A- League title. Many of the Impacts conference rivals share the opinion that outside of Rochester, Montreal is one of their more desirable A - League destinations.
The Impacts lofty achievements , including an impressive average gate of over 5,000 patrons, is just an off shoot of soccers success in Quebec. Led by soccer visionary Jean Gandubert, the Quebec Soccer Federation is a slick operation as well as an efficient , progressive thinking sports bureaucracy. The complete opposite to soccers governing body in the Trilliumed province. The pyramid of play is clearly defined in Canadas distinct society and the Impact have firmly perched themselves at the top.
Sundays tilt at Varsity Stadium was a classic encounter between a team of wanabees against an established franchise. Torontos inconsistent play has probably cost them a shot at the playoffs and Montreal is making a late season run up the playoff ladder. After a shaky start to their season Paul Kitsons crew have re - tooled with some key acquisitions and they are peaking at the right moment. A recent victory over Rochester has inflated their confidence as the post season fast approaches.
It all started with a friendly handshake between coaches. With out stretched arm and large grin Paul Kitsons pleasantries did not carry over to his players. The 3, 013 in attendance witnessed one of the most volatile games of the season.
Eighteen minutes into the game Bill Sedgewicks overlapping run and near perfect shot forced Jim Larkin in the Lynx goal to save at full stretch.
Throughout the first half Toronto played like a team in desperate times and Impact cast offs Adolfo Mella and Kevin Holness played like they had something to prove to their former employers. At the 42nd minute mark the fleet footed Giuliano Oliviero took the ball to the end line and crossed brilliantly to an unmarked Kevin Wilson who made no mistake from the far post. The first half ended with Montreal up by a goal leaving Torontos faithful supporters wondering if the end was near.
Nineteen minutes into the second half Toronto earned some redemption off the foot of Adolfo Mella. Phil Caporella was the catalyst of the tying goal with his determined run and brilliant pass to Mella who was virtually left alone in front of the helpless Paulo Ceccorelli. Caporella was at the centre of controversy four minutes later when Ceccarelli took exception to his opponents obvious dive. Instead of ignoring Caporellas childish antics Ceccarelli punched the Lynx striker resulting in a justified sending off. Impulsive actions that could influence the hot blooded goalkeepers future selection to the national team. In the melee that followed Adolfo Mella was also sent off for his second bookable offence. The game ended in a 1 - 1 draw and little was decided in extra time.
The ensuing shoot out caused quite the stir among the record crowd at Varsity. With the precision of a veteran line up the Lynx easily dispatched Montreal to their dressing room with nothing to show for their efforts. In the dreaded shoot out Montreal struck two posts and Torontos David DiLacido and teammate Kevin Holness made no mistake. As the spectators rose to their feet in delight several Lynx players looked on in despair. One point for a shoot out victory has virtually assured Toronto of missing the post season. Montreal , on the other hand, will continue on their merry way to soccers promised land. A journey that Canadas most successful soccer franchise has enjoyed many times before their uneventful trip to Hog - Town.
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