Rowdies vs. Montreal Impact

Rowdies 1 vs. Montreal Impact 2
The Rowdies were defeated by Canadian opposition for the second straight game, this time dropping a 2-1 decision to the visiting Montreal Impact (4-3-3), despite a furious second-half rally. The loss marked the first at home for the Rowdies, who had posted two wins and a tie in their first three home matches.
“It’s a result for the second week in a row now. We put them under some pressure in the second half, but they were just more clinical than us when they got the chances,” Rowdies coach Paul Dalglish said. “It’s a privilege to work with these players because they give the team everything they’ve got. That’s two games in a row where we’ve lost points but couldn’t possibly have given more effort.”
“We were creating a lot of chances and causing a lot of problems but it just wasn’t our night today,” Dalglish said.
Both Montreal and the Rowdies (5-3-3) had chances in the first half, but the teams went into the locker rooms even at 0-0.
Four minutes after the break, the Impact got on the scoreboard. Roberto Brown sent a great through pass to Peter Byers, who beat the Rowdies' offsides trap. Byers put it past goalkeeper Daryl Sattler, giving Montreal a 1-0 lead.
Giving up a goal seemed to inspire the Rowdies. They really took control with an impressive spell of play. Pascal Millien sent in a great cross to Aaron Wheeler who headed it low back across goal to the far post in the 51st minute. Montreal goalkeeper Srdjan Djekanovic dove and pushed the ball just inches wide, keeping FC Tampa Bay off the scoreboard.
Just a minute later, Aaron Wheeler looked to have beaten Montreal’s offsides trap and scored a goal, but the linesman immediately raised his offsides flag and the goal was disallowed.
Rowdies forward Aaron King entered the game in the 65th minute and very nearly scored with one of his first touches. Djekanovic made another great save to deny King.
“It was tough to see (Djekanovic) make the save,” said King. “I wish I could’ve reacted quicker, because I think I could maybe have put the rebound in. I was really hoping the shot went, I aimed right for the corner.”
The Impact counter attacked and scored a second goal in the 66th minute. Tony Donatelli gave Roberto Brown a pass that Brown turned past Sattler. In the span of two minutes, the Rowdies went from nearly drawing the game level to going a second goal down.
King continued to impress and got a goal for his efforts in the 70th minute off an assist from Stanley Nyazamba. The goal was King’s fourth of the season, putting him into a tie with Aaron Wheeler for the team lead in goals.
Down 2-1 the Rowdies continued to push for the equalizer but were unable to find it. Djekanovic recorded four saves on the night and did well to secure the victory for Montreal.

Lineups:
Rowdies lineup: Sattler, Valentino, Valentin, Kljestan (Yates 78'), Millien, Donoho (King 65'), Wheeler, Buete, Tan, Nyazamba, Yamada.
Impact lineup: Djekanovic, Asboubou, Pizzolitto, Testo, Dacosta Soares (Gatti 73'), Brown (Sebrango 82'), Dilorenzo, Donatelli, Billy (Braz 75'), deRoux, Byers (Placentino 88').

Scoring Summary:
Impact - Peter Byers - 49th minute (Assisted by Roberto Brown)
Impact - Roberto Brown - 66th minute (Assisted by Tony Donatelli)
Rowdies - Aaron King - 70th minute (Assisted by Stanley Nyazamba)