Mount Royal Soccer - Montreal Impact vs Sporting Kansas City : Game HubLa Vie en Bleuhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/50925/mrs-fav.png2013-07-31T09:04:14-04:00http://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/rss/stream/43236472013-07-31T09:04:14-04:002013-07-31T09:04:14-04:00#SaputoDOr et #TropDePoutine :Impact vs SKC
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<figcaption>Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Soccer Sans Frontieres and Mount Royal Soccer asked for your Saputo D'Or and Trop de Poutine as we noted your best and worst player during 1-0 win of the Montreal Impact over Sporting Kansas City.
</p> <p>#DebatSSF est votre hashtag pour parler de soccer,foot avec votre alternative foot, Soccer Sans Frontières. Tel qu'une bouchée de Mozzarella, le <a href="https://twitter.com/#SaputoDor" target="_blank">#SaputoDor</a> est votre joueur préféré , du moins l'homme du match. Le <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23tropdepoutine" target="_blank">#TropDePoutine</a> est le joueur qui a gâté son appétit et son match aussi.</p>
<p>On "Storify" ca pour vous</p>
<p>N'oubliez pas que <a target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/SoccerSansF">Soccer Sans Frontières</a>, c'est tous les Mercredis de 18h a 19h sur Choq.fm. N'oubliez jamais que Soccer Sans Frontières est votre Alternative Foot.</p>
<p> </p>
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https://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/2013/7/31/4574496/debatssf-montreal-impact-vs-sporting-kansas-citySolambey F2013-07-29T10:05:18-04:002013-07-29T10:05:18-04:00Dissect-A-Goal : Blake Smith's Game Winning Goal
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<figcaption>Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>After struggling to consistently build clean offensive plays against Sporting Kansas City, the Montreal Impact put on display a beautiful last-minute play to get the game winning goal.</p> <p>Blake Smith's left-footed shot was taken with such poise and precision that you would forget that the MLS rookie...is a rookie. But the team effort ,displayed on that play, showed quality passing, dribbling, vision and finishing. It was a showcase of all the different individual talents within the Montreal Impact that were able to sync up.</p>
<p> </p>
<h4>Nesta to Camara: Stretch me if you can</h4>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2977811/nesta-to-camara-vs-sporting-kc-o.gif"><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2977811/nesta-to-camara-vs-sporting-kc-o_medium.gif" class="photo" alt="Nesta-to-camara-vs-sporting-kc-o_medium"></a> <br id="1375071218090"></p>
<p>The first pass is the most important play of the game. Everything starts there and nothing is better for the Montreal Impact fans to see <span>Alessandro Nesta</span> deliver it.</p>
<p>The Italian defender is pressured by the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thebluetestament.com/">Sporting Kansas City</a> forward and is able to get off the pressing long enough to deliver a precise pass.</p>
<p>With the Montreal Impact going for the win, <span>Hassoun Camara</span> is half-way between the midfield and the Kansas City box. In Camara fashion, he cuts to the middle and breaks free of the marking of 2 KC players.</p>
<p>Note the run of <span>Andres Romero</span> that forces one of the Kansas City for half a second, just enough for Camara to find space to look up and make his pass.</p>
<p> </p>
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<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<h4>Bernier: I am no Dummy</h4>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2977851/bernier-dummy-vs-sporting-kc-o.gif"><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2977851/bernier-dummy-vs-sporting-kc-o_medium.gif" class="photo" alt="Bernier-dummy-vs-sporting-kc-o_medium"></a> <br id="1375072165164"></p>
<p><span>Patrice Bernier</span> was making a run towards the box with <span>Marco Di Vaio</span>. As soon as he sees Camara cut to the middle, Bernier identifies his right back's intention and runs towards him, calling for the ball.</p>
<p>The next play is another display of great communication between 2 players as Bernier lets the ball pass through his legs for Di Vaio.</p>
<h4>Di Vaio: You should have marked me on that one</h4>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2977859/di-vaio-pass-vs-skc-o.gif"><img src="http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/2977859/di-vaio-pass-vs-skc-o_medium.gif" class="photo" alt="Di-vaio-pass-vs-skc-o_medium"></a> <br id="1375072221352"></p>
<p>As soon as Bernier let the ball pass him, Di Vaio instantly breaks off the marking of the Sporting defense (<span>Lawrence Olum</span> I think) that gives him that half-second to look up and see Blake Smith make a run. Note that Bernier continues to run towards the box forcing <span>Ike Opara</span> to follow him, giving more space to Di Vaio.</p>
<p>Chandler, Sporting KC's right back, is suckered in by Di Vaio's play which gives enough time for Smith to get the ball and control it.</p>
<h4>Smith : I used to score in College yo!</h4>
<p><iframe width="450" height="300" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/gpyUB1D1oJ0" frameborder="0"></iframe> <br id="1375102918311"></p>
<p>At this point, all the hard work done is done or almost. What seems to be a complicated play as a whole is composed of simple individual feats with a high level of technical skills to get the ball so quickly to the box.</p>
<p>Blake Smith has already shown his goal scoring touch against the Philadelphia Union. He definitely showed poise and precision in that goal against one of the best goalkeepers of MLS, <span>Jimmy Nielsen</span>.</p>
<p>Share with us your Dissect-A-Goal thoughts in the comments below and relive what was a game winning goal that ended the Impact's winless and scoreless drought,.</p>
<p> </p>
<h4>More from Mount Royal Soccer:</h4>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/2013/7/28/4565730/montreal-impact-vs-sporting-kansas-city-highlights-quotes-stats">Montreal Impact vs Sporting Kansas City: Highlights, quotes, stats</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/2013/7/28/4563930/blake-smiths-scores-winning-goal-montreal-impact-win-vs-sporting-kansas-city">Blake Smith's last-minute goal gives the Montreal Impact 1-0 victory over Sporting Kansas City</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/2013/7/27/4562852/montreal-impact-face-sporting-kc-attack-vs-defense-di-vaio-okpara">Montreal Impact looking for 3 points against Weakened but Dangerous Sporting Kansas City team</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/2013/7/26/4558388/talk-with-sporting-kansas-city-head-coach-and-technical-director">Talk With Sporting Kansas City Head Coach and Technical Director Peter Vermes</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/2013/7/26/4559606/montreal-impact-vs-sporting-kansas-city-game-hub-preview-post-game-stream">Montreal Impact vs Sporting Kansas City : Game Hub</a></li>
</ul>
https://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/2013/7/29/4566018/analysis-blake-smith-winning-goal-vs-sporting-kansas-city-montreal-impactSofiane Benzaza2013-07-28T15:52:31-04:002013-07-28T15:52:31-04:00Impact vs KC : Highlights, Stats & Quotes
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<figcaption>Jean-Yves Ahern-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The Montreal Impact took all 3 points in a highly physical affair against Sporting Kansas City. Blake Smith became the hero of the game when he scored the game winning goal at the 95th minute.</p> <p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/">Montreal Impact</a> leave Stade Saputo with the 3 points, even if it was not their best performances. Not that Montreal performed badly but it had difficulties to dominate the play at home. Although it was facing one of the best teams in the league, <span>Marco Schallibaum</span> and co. would liked to have been more dominant.</p>
<h4>Lineups</h4>
<p>MTL - GK-<span>Troy Perkins</span>; D-Hassoun Camara, <span>Matteo Ferrari</span>, <span>Alessandro Nesta</span>, <span>Jeb Brovsky</span>; M-<span>Justin Mapp</span>, <span>Davy Arnaud</span>, <span>Patrice Bernier</span>, Felipe (Andrés Romero 66'), <span>Sanna Nyassi</span> (Blake Smith 80'); F-Marco Di Vaio (<span>Andrew Wenger</span> 89')</p>
<p>Subs not used: GK-<span>Evan Bush</span>; D-<span>Dennis Iapichino</span>; M-Collen Warner; F-<span>Daniele Paponi</span></p>
<p>KC - GK-<span>Jimmy Nielsen</span>; D-Chance Myers, <span>Ike Opara</span>, <span>Lawrence Olum</span>, <span>Seth Sinovic</span>; M-<span>Oriol Rosell</span>, <span>Peterson Joseph</span> (Benny Feihaber 45'), <span>Graham Zusi</span>; F-Kei Kamara, <span>Claudio Bieler</span> (<span>Dom Dwyer</span> 80'), Sonny Saad (C.J. Sapong 89')</p>
<p>Subs not used: GK-<span>Eric Kronberg</span>; D-Mechack Jerome; F-Teal Bunbury,</p>
<h4>Scoring Summary</h4>
<p>MTL - Smith (Di Vaio, Camara) 90+'</p>
<h4>Misconduct Summary</h4>
<p>KC - Sinovic 1'<br>KC - Joseph 24'<br>KC - Bieler 70'<br>MTL - Bernier 71'<br>KC - Rosell 88'</p>
<h4></h4>
<h4>Game Stats</h4>
<p><a href="http://www.mlssoccer.com/matchcenter/2013-07-27-MTL-v-SKC/stats">via MLSSoccer.com</a></p>
<table style="margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; border-collapse: collapse; border: 0px; border-spacing: 0px; width: 940px; color: #333333; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px;" class="sticky-enabled sticky-table" id="stats-game"> <thead style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; background-color: transparent; border: none; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class="tableHeader-processed"><tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; background-color: #f8f8f8; border-bottom-style: solid; border-width: 0px 0px 1px; border-bottom-color: #ffffff; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"> <th style="margin: 0px; padding: 5px; text-align: center; border: none; vertical-align: bottom; background-image: url(http://www.mlssoccer.com/sites/editorial.mlssoccer.com/themes/mls_child/images/bg_th.png); background-color: #ececec; font-size: 12px; white-space: nowrap; background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat no-repeat;">Montreal Impact</th> <th style="margin: 0px; padding: 5px; text-align: center; border: none; vertical-align: bottom; background-image: url(http://www.mlssoccer.com/sites/editorial.mlssoccer.com/themes/mls_child/images/bg_th.png); background-color: #ececec; font-size: 12px; white-space: nowrap; background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat no-repeat;"> </th> <th style="margin: 0px; padding: 5px; text-align: center; border: none; vertical-align: bottom; background-image: url(http://www.mlssoccer.com/sites/editorial.mlssoccer.com/themes/mls_child/images/bg_th.png); background-color: #ececec; font-size: 12px; white-space: nowrap; background-position: 0% 100%; background-repeat: repeat no-repeat;">Sporting Kansas City</th> </tr></thead> <tbody style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: none; background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"> <tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.1em 0.6em; background-color: #ececec; border: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class="odd"> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; font-size: 11px; width: 302px;">7</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; font-size: 11px; width: 302px;">Attempts on Goal</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; font-size: 11px; width: 303px;">14</td> </tr> <tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.1em 0.6em; border: 0px;" class="even"> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; font-size: 11px; width: 302px;">4</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; font-size: 11px; width: 302px;">Shots on Target</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; font-size: 11px; width: 303px;">4</td> </tr> <tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.1em 0.6em; background-color: #ececec; border: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class="odd"> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; font-size: 11px; width: 302px;">0</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; font-size: 11px; width: 302px;">Shots off Target</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; font-size: 11px; width: 303px;">7</td> </tr> <tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.1em 0.6em; border: 0px;" class="even"> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; font-size: 11px; width: 302px;">3</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; font-size: 11px; width: 302px;">Blocked Shots</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; font-size: 11px; width: 303px;">3</td> </tr> <tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.1em 0.6em; background-color: #ececec; border: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class="odd"> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; font-size: 11px; width: 302px;">4</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; font-size: 11px; width: 302px;">Corner Kicks</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; font-size: 11px; width: 303px;">5</td> </tr> <tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.1em 0.6em; border: 0px;" class="even"> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; font-size: 11px; width: 302px;">17</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; font-size: 11px; width: 302px;">Fouls</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; font-size: 11px; width: 303px;">21</td> </tr> <tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.1em 0.6em; background-color: #ececec; border: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class="odd"> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; font-size: 11px; width: 302px;">6</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; font-size: 11px; width: 302px;">Open Play Crosses</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; font-size: 11px; width: 303px;">14</td> </tr> <tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.1em 0.6em; border: 0px;" class="even"> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; font-size: 11px; width: 302px;">1</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; font-size: 11px; width: 302px;">Offsides</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; font-size: 11px; width: 303px;">1</td> </tr> <tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.1em 0.6em; background-color: #ececec; border: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class="odd"> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; font-size: 11px; width: 302px;">1</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; font-size: 11px; width: 302px;">First Yellow Cards</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; font-size: 11px; width: 303px;">4</td> </tr> <tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.1em 0.6em; border: 0px;" class="even"> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; font-size: 11px; width: 302px;">0</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; font-size: 11px; width: 302px;">Second Yellow Cards</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; font-size: 11px; width: 303px;">0</td> </tr> <tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.1em 0.6em; background-color: #ececec; border: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class="odd"> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; font-size: 11px; width: 302px;">0</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; font-size: 11px; width: 302px;">Red Cards</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; font-size: 11px; width: 303px;">0</td> </tr> <tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.1em 0.6em; border: 0px;" class="even"> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; font-size: 11px; width: 302px;">56</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; font-size: 11px; width: 302px;">Duels Won</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; font-size: 11px; width: 303px;">58</td> </tr> <tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.1em 0.6em; background-color: #ececec; border: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class="odd"> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; font-size: 11px; width: 302px;">49%</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; font-size: 11px; width: 302px;">Duels Won %</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; font-size: 11px; width: 303px;">50%</td> </tr> <tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.1em 0.6em; border: 0px;" class="even"> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; font-size: 11px; width: 302px;">320</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; font-size: 11px; width: 302px;">Total Pass</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; font-size: 11px; width: 303px;">379</td> </tr> <tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.1em 0.6em; background-color: #ececec; border: 0px; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;" class="odd"> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; font-size: 11px; width: 302px;">67%</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; font-size: 11px; width: 302px;">Passing Accuracy %</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; font-size: 11px; width: 303px;">72%</td> </tr> <tr style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.1em 0.6em; border: 0px;" class="even"> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; font-size: 11px; width: 302px;">45.8%</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; font-size: 11px; width: 302px;">Possession</td> <td style="margin: 0px; padding: 0.5em; text-align: center; vertical-align: top; font-size: 11px; width: 303px;">54.2%</td> </tr> </tbody> </table>
<p> </p>
<h4>Montreal Impact vs <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thebluetestament.com/">Sporting Kansas City</a> - Post Game Quotes</h4>
<p><em><strong>Montreal Impact head coach Marco Schallibaum</strong></em></p>
<p>On the game...</p>
<p>We had another good game defensively today. They had very few scoring chances. We played right up until the very end and we never gave up tonight, even in stoppage time and for me as a coach, it was a happy ending when you make a change and bring a player [Blake Smith] who scores the winning goal for us. We deserve to win. It's important that we point out that we didn't steal this game in the final minutes. We earned it all game long.</p>
<p>On <span>Blake Smith's</span> performance...</p>
<p>Blake is someone who has learned a lot since I met him in his first few days with the team. He is someone who wants to learn and progress as a player. He always works hard and likes to move forward and help the attack.</p>
<p>On the team's lack of scoring...</p>
<p>Well, we played with two strikers versus Houston and we won 2-0. We have been a little tired and out of gas lately, but that's soccer. It's normal that players get fatigued at moments and it's a phase we were going through. But this team has that fighting spirit and we have seen that all season long. With a 1-0 win against a team like this and with a performance like we had, it's good. But it doesn't mean we won't go back to the 4-4-2 if we feel we need to.</p>
<p><em><strong>Montreal Impact midfielder Patrice Bernier</strong></em></p>
<p>On the victory...</p>
<p>It's a huge win and really good for the team's morale, especially after such a good effort to win the game in the end. We now move within one point of first with the three points from tonight and our smiles are little bigger now. We couldn't have asked for better.</p>
<p>On ending the winless streak...</p>
<p>What's more important is the three points. We have been playing well, but we needed to get this win to improve our confidence e, especially against a conference rival. We kept pushing all game long and we felt that they were slowing down in the second half. They have big defenders, so we tried to lay the counter attack, which served us well. Ironically, we scored on a nice build up, but we'll take it.</p>
<p><em><strong>Montreal Impact midfielder Blake Smith</strong></em></p>
<p>On his reaction after scoring the goal...</p>
<p>The win was huge for us today and that's all that really needs to be said. We fought hard and played the entire 90 plus minutes and we deserved the win. I want to come in and give the team a spark and help for one final push when I come in the game.</p>
<p>Describe the goal...</p>
<p>It came across from the right side, Patrice played a great dummy and Marco was able to play get one touch, lift his head and find me, playing me through the defence to finish. It's a great feeling. I wanted to make sure that I got a good clean shot and place it where I wanted.</p>
<p><em><strong>Sporting KC Manager <span>Peter Vermes</span> </strong></em></p>
<p>Thoughts on the game...</p>
<p>I thought it was two teams who had a good battle for the majority of the game. We had a very good chance during the second half which Perkins had a great save on. Jimmy [Nielsen] had a great save in the first half so it was kind of even in this perspective. I don't have a great recollection of the goal just because I was managing something else on the sideline so I only saw the final piece. Other than that, I thought it was two good teams playing very .... Today the game was played more between the boxes than it was played in the boxes. So I thought both teams had good moments and were good. In the end, they come up with a goal.</p>
<p>How would you rate your central defence tonight?</p>
<p>I thought those guys did very well today. I have a lot of respect for Marco Di Vaio's game; he's a very good player. His movement off the ball is excellent. The guys did a very good job of not allowing him to be too dangerous which was great. So I thought they did very well.</p>
<p>Talking about Di Vaio... Was Olum specifically assigned to cover him?</p>
<p>We knew he likes to open up on the left channel a lot. So he was going to him a lot. I think he did a really good job against him. Both those guys played really, really well.</p>
<p>A few words about your midfield today...</p>
<p>What I would say about it is that we were solid. It was unfortunate that Joseph got the yellow card early like he did, especially in that part of the field because you're going to be much more on the players that on the sides so we had to make a tactical decision in taking him out at half time. He's also a quick guy so it can looks like he hit somebody but he had to be careful there. But, again, we did a good job of matching with their people and they did the same. It was a very even game, most of the game. There really wasn't anything like one team was really doing this, doing that. So from that point of view, it was good</p>
<p>Even if you had a lot of the ball possession most of the game, did you feel your team did enough in the last attack?</p>
<p>I think we deserved the point out of this game. I don't say we deserved the three but we deserve a point tonight. It's unfortunate when you spend that much time in the game, working so hard and then the last second you lose. This is the business we're in</p>
<p><em><strong>Sporting KC midfielder Graham Zusi</strong></em></p>
<p>Thoughts on the game...</p>
<p>Thought we did well for about 96 minutes. Didn't really give much away. It was a hard fought game. It hurts to give it away, that way.</p>
<p>Did you feel that you could have attacked more as a unit?</p>
<p>I thought we got some decent chances, away from home. We tried to create as much as we do at home but I thought we did well to create some good ones. Unfortunately, we couldn't put it away.</p>
<p>Even though you attack at midfield, how did you find the middle defense, with all the absentees, for this game?</p>
<p>I thought they did very well. They stepped up and really shut down their attack for the entire game. Those guys stepped up in the moment and really did well. Can't take anything away from them.</p>
<p><em><strong>Sporting KC goalkeeper Jimmy Nielsen</strong></em></p>
<p>Thoughts on the game...</p>
<p>I think it was a very even game. Both teams created a few chances; it was a little battle in there. I think it was a good level of battling. Both teams came out with a winning attitude and wanted to get these three points so badly. Unfortunately for us, we didn't defend very well on this goal, as a team, and they did a good job at scoring. Last week we were extremely luck to score in seventh minute overtime and this time, a little unlucky; we conceded a goal in the 95th minute.</p>
<p>You seem to be performing well against the Impact, how did you feel with those key saves you made during the match?</p>
<p>When you come in this situation, there is question about staying big and lucky for me, I got the hand on it. When they scored in the 95th minute, he did the right thing: kicking it hard between the goalie's legs when he comes out, smart finish. All we can do right now is being disappointed with the result. The effort we put in today is acceptable.</p>
<p> </p>
<h4></h4>
https://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/2013/7/28/4565730/montreal-impact-vs-sporting-kansas-city-highlights-quotes-statsSofiane Benzaza2013-07-28T11:36:08-04:002013-07-28T11:36:08-04:00Blake Smith gives Montreal the win vs Kansas City
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<figcaption>Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>After 95 minutes of a scoreless draw, Blake Smith gives the Montreal Impact a big win against Sporting Kansas City.</p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thebluetestament.com/">Sporting Kansas City</a> came to Montreal as advertised , with the intention to impose its style of play. Even at Stade Saputo, KC seemed to be the home team. Even with the Impact being very active at the start of the game, the visitors had most of the ball possession, chances and breaks.</p>
<p>But Stade Saputo pushed the Montreal Impact until the last minutes of the game and the team responded to that support. At the 95th minute, <span>Blake Smith</span> scores the only goal of the game, in what was the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/">Montreal Impact's</a> best play of the game.</p>
<p>The tone of the game was set very early when <span>Seth Sinovic</span> gets a yellow card after a hard tackle on <span>Justin Mapp</span>. That happened at the first minute of the game and it was physical for the rest of the game. A total of 38 fouls were registered on Saturday night, the most fouls in a MLS game in 2013.</p>
<p>Ball possession might have seemed even in the first half but Sporting Kansas City seemed to be more dangerous and efficient. With the Impact opting for quick breaks, at the 20th minute, Justin Mapp finds <span>Sanna Nyassi</span> as the Gambian was making run on the left side of the box. On a break, Nyassi tries to beat <span>Jimmy Nielsen</span> with a high shot but the Danish goalkeeper makes a huge save and keeps a clean sheet.</p>
<p>Sporting Kansas City could have scored twice in the second half but <span>Troy Perkins</span> and <span>Hassoun Camara</span> made sure it did not happen. At the 52nd minute, after a <span>Graham Zusi</span> free kick, the ball bounces around and Bieler attempts a half-volley. Perkins makes a save after remarkbly tracking the ball as Kansas City earns a corner kick.</p>
<p>At the 63rd minute, Bieler is back at it again when he taps in <span>Benny Feilhaber's</span> cross into the box. But Camara was also tracking the ball and with a desperate dive/tackle, he blocks Bieler's shot.</p>
<p>As the game went on, more and more space was being found in the midfield and Montreal was pushing for the win. With less than a minute left in the game, <span>Marco Di Vaio</span> finds Blake Smith on the left side of the box. The MLS rookie controls the ball calmly and shoots between Nielsen's legs for the winning and only goal of the game.</p>
<p>With that big win, the Montreal Impact is tied with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.onceametro.com/">New York Red Bulls</a> at 35 points. As the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thebentmusket.com/">New England Revolution</a>, Philadelphia Union and the Red Bulls won their respective games, getting that last-minute goal just took a bigger importance.</p>
https://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/2013/7/28/4563930/blake-smiths-scores-winning-goal-montreal-impact-win-vs-sporting-kansas-citySofiane Benzaza2013-07-27T12:18:11-04:002013-07-27T12:18:11-04:00Hungry Attack vs Young Defense
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<figcaption>Francois Laplante</figcaption>
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<p>Marco Di Vaio will not have to face Aurelien Collin and Matt Besler tonight at Stade Saputo. But the rest of the Sporting Kansas City stars will be present.</p> <p><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thebluetestament.com/">Sporting Kansas City</a> is coming to Montreal riding a 3-game winning streak. Whereas the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/">Montreal Impact</a> is still looking for a win in its last 5 games. Without <span>Aurelien Collin</span> and <span>Matt Besler</span>, Sporting KC will need to cope with the experienced <span>Marco Di Vaio</span>. On the other hand, the Impact needs to stave off a talented midfield with a choice of targets up front.</p>
<h4>New-Look Defense vs Hungry Offense</h4>
<p>Marco Di Vaio is back and eager to take back the MLS scoring lead. <span>Daniele Paponi</span> will be happy to see his Senpai back and the Impact will benefit from having the duo back together. The key , like it always is, is to get the ball to Di Vaio and he usually takes care of the rest.</p>
<p>Against a new-look KC defense, the Impact might take advantage of that inexperience but the yet again, can the midfield get the ball up front.</p>
<p style="text-align: center; "><b>Rosell - Zusi - Feilhaber</b> vs <b>Bernier - Arnaud - Martins</b></p>
<p style="text-align: left;">Whatever hunger it had in the first half against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bigdsoccer.com/">FC Dallas</a>, the Impact need to keep it tonight. Keeping the ball away from <span>Benny Feilhaber</span> and <span>Graham Zusi</span>, Montreal could focus on Uri Rosell and the young KC back line.</p>
<p style="text-align: left;">A counter attacking team hiding in the body of a dominant team, Montreal has the tools to take on the Eastern Conference leaders.</p>
<h4>Who will dominated the sides</h4>
<p>Against FC Dallas, Montreal has started to put in a claim for dominance in the wings. We will knew soon enough whether it was a one-time thing or a more permanent intention. If there is one team that knows about the wings, Kansas City is that team. </p>
<p>Against <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.rslsoapbox.com/">Real Salt Lake</a>, Sporting KC attempted <b>21 crosses</b> with a<b> success rate of 42.9%</b>. In a 4-3-3 setup, KC will look to stretch out the Impact while keeping the ability to strike in the middle. With quality players like Graham Zusi, there are enough difference makers to hurt Montreal. Add <span>Claudio Bieler</span> and <span>Kei Kamara</span> to the mix and you have more targets that also like to play out of position.</p>
<h4>Notes</h4>
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<li>
<u>Indirect FK:</u> The Impact has shown that defending free kicks is not its forte. Sporting KC has enough targets and aggressiveness to hurt Montreal, even at Stade Saputo </li>
<li>
<u> Direct FK:</u> Graham Zusi and <span>Soony Saad</span> are dangerous on direct free kicks</li>
<li>
<u>Avoid the Gap:</u> between the Montreal midfield and defense. Remember all those long-range inaccurate shots by the Houston Dynamo? (2-0 Impact win) . Let's just say that giving space and time to Zusi and co. is not the best of ideas</li>
</ul>
https://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/2013/7/27/4562852/montreal-impact-face-sporting-kc-attack-vs-defense-di-vaio-okparaSofiane Benzaza2013-07-26T11:34:10-04:002013-07-26T11:34:10-04:00Interview with Peter Vermes
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<p>I had the chance to talk Sporting Kansas City head coach Peter Vermes, after the club had its first practice in Montreal. He shared his thoughts on the Eastern Conference, the MLS All Star Game and more.</p> <p>As I was waiting to talk to <span>Peter Vermes</span>, I was able to watch <a href="https://www.thebluetestament.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Sporting Kansas City</a> practice for the first time since landing in Montreal, earlier on Thursday. It was a quiet, relaxed mood as the Eastern Conference leaders were going through a few intense, high quality scrimmages.</p>
<p>Giving a few instructions in what was a quiet but intense practice, Peter Vermes was in the ''Head Coach'' bubble but I wondered how much of the technical director was present at that moment.</p>
<p><i>About the positive momentum after the game against Real Salt Lake</i></p>
<blockquote>
<p><b>It's good but if you look at the table, in the East and the West, everything is very congested. As much as it was a good win for us , I have a lot of respect for the other teams in the league. </b></p>
<p><b>I think that every team, on any day in MLS , can beat the other team. You should never take any team lightly so its extremely important that every game that we play, we move on from the last one and get ready for the next one</b>.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><i>Transitioning to Montreal</i></p>
<blockquote>
<p><b>I think that our concentration is here in Montreal. I think it's a team that has done very well. Their best quality is that they have a lot of experience in the team. We have to always be respectful and attentive to those aspects of the team.</b></p>
</blockquote>
<p><i>About the Impact's biggest strength, what does he fear the most</i></p>
<blockquote>
<p><b>I still think that it's experience.</b></p>
<p><b>They know how to manage the different moments of the game. They are good at that, very very good at that [managing different moments of the game] and I think that it's a big strength of theirs.</b></p>
<p><b>Because of the experience, they have brought some of the younger players along and they helped them play to another level. </b></p>
<p><b>As I said to my team, you have to be attentive, to be concentrated for 90+ minutes against a team like this. </b></p>
<p><b>At any moment, they can kill you and you can look at how well Di Vaio has done. He finds moments and he can just like that : turn around, score a goal and they [The Impact] can close up shop.</b></p>
</blockquote>
<p><i><br>How to handle <span>Marco Di Vaio</span> without his best 2 defenders</i></p>
<blockquote>
<p><b>What I would say is that I have a lot of confidence in the guys that will play. As much as we train to make sure the 11 guys are prepared for the game, we are making sure ,all the time, that we are developing the rest of the players. </b></p>
<p><b>It's all about making sure that when they have their opportunity, they are prepared. </b><b>They need to have confidence because we have confidence in them. I think the biggest thing [for them] is that they have to be alert.</b></p>
<b>Against a player like this [Di Vaio] ,t</b><b>hey cannot almost become a spectator,a fan when we have the ball. <br><br>They have to be always watching what he is doing. That is the biggest thing.</b>
</blockquote>
<p><i>Rivarly between Montreal and KC</i></p>
<blockquote>
<p><b>It's funny, everybody is asking me the same question every week. Right now, all the teams are so close. Every game means so much for every team in the league. Sports are physical, emotional and everybody wants to compete and win.</b></p>
<p><b>You are going to have instances or occasions in a game that could be controversial , important to a match and everybody has to deal with those situations. </b></p>
<p><b>What I do think is that when any two teams are playing against each other, ultimately, there is a level of respect between both opponents and everyone wants to win. </b></p>
<p><b>There is no doubt that 2 teams will come to fight and battle on Saturday.</b></p>
</blockquote>
<p><i>About his role as both coach and director</i></p>
<blockquote>
<p><b>As a coach, I need to be focused on the next game. My personal philosophy is that I can never sacrifice the long term vision for the short term goal. If I constantly make decisions this way, I stay within the way we are managing and moving forward.</b></p>
<p><b>We dont want a team that is one year really good then the next three years really bad. We want to be a team that is good all the time and once in a while great . </b></p>
<p><b>We don't want to have a big drop-off. We need to always be looking for the long-term. And if we are doing that. it means that we are spending the time with the younger players to develop them and giving them the chances at the right moment. </b><b>You stick somebody in the game because they have a chance to be successful . </b></p>
<p><b>Believe me, I dont make all the right decisions all the time, I make many mistakes. But as long as between myself , the rest of my staff and my players , that as we make those mistakes, we continously self-evaluate and try to be better. We have a chance to be better the next day.</b></p>
</blockquote>
<p><i>How to handle a game like the All-Star Game</i></p>
<blockquote>
<p><b>I think that you have to enjoy the experience. The group of players that are assembled are all great players. For me, it's a great privileged honor to be coaching them. At the same time, how much impact can I have in 2 days of training. </b></p>
<p><b>I want to make sure that it's a memorable moment [for the players] but at the same time they realize that it's a game. We are representing MLS and we have to have a level of seriousness to make sure we compete. Then at the same time, we make sure we entertain for the fans as well.</b></p>
<p><b>The great thing is that they are all highly leveled professionals. For themselves, they dont want to be embarassed. Now its about making them feel good about we are going to do and go play.</b></p>
</blockquote>
<p><i>About potential relation and exchange of ideas with AS Roma and Rudi Garcia</i></p>
<blockquote>
<p><b>There will be is a technical committee meeeting on Tuesday. We will have a chance to discuss [different topics]. Hopefully, we share a drink [after the game ] and have a nice little moment together.</b></p>
</blockquote>
<p><i>As per exchange of soccer culture and how it is affecting MLS</i></p>
<blockquote>
<p><b>Because of the fast growth in the last 10 years, with so many teams that have come to play exhibition games in MLS, what has transpired is that there is more exchange.</b></p>
<p><b>This is not just some retirement league for players but it's a true league and it's competitive. They [</b><b>European clubs] </b><b>see that the future is here. Its been a great collaboration between countries, clubs and leagues.</b></p>
</blockquote>
https://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/2013/7/26/4558388/talk-with-sporting-kansas-city-head-coach-and-technical-directorSofiane Benzaza2013-07-26T10:21:55-04:002013-07-26T10:21:55-04:00MLS Week 22: reviews and previews<h3 class="link-title"><a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2013/jul/26/mls-fan-previews-week-22">MLS Week 22: reviews and&nbsp;previews</a></h3>
<div class="description"><p><p>You can read my review of the Montreal Impact's week as it faces Sporting KC for the third and last time.</p></p></div>
https://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/2013/7/26/4559634/mls-week-22-reviews-and-previewsSofiane Benzaza2013-07-26T08:11:17-04:002013-07-26T08:11:17-04:003 Questions with the Daily Wiz
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<p>We start the preview of the game between the Montreal Impact and Sporting Kansas City with Ben Gartland of the Daily Wiz.
</p> <p><a href="http://@BenGartlandSKC" target="_blank">Ben</a> and I do not waste time as we exchange questions and answers about the teams that we respectively cover. Winless in 5 games, the Montreal Impact faces a Sporting Kansas City team on a 3-game win streak. With notable absentees (Matt Besler and <span>Aurelien Collin</span>), <span>Peter Vermes</span>' men still come in Montreal with confidence but weary of an experienced team.</p>
<p><b>1) Let's cut to chase Ben and go at it. Is there a rivalry between the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/">Montreal Impact</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thebluetestament.com/">Sporting Kansas City</a>? or is it just a thought in the #IMFC imaginarium?</b></p>
<p>I think it has the potential for a rivalry and I've certainly disliked Montreal this season but it will take time to grow. I can think of at least three teams I hate more than Montreal right now (<a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.rslsoapbox.com/">Real Salt Lake</a>, Seattle and Houston) but there is potential for a rivalry if these two teams are battling for the top of the East year in and year out.</p>
<p>Now, if these two teams have an Eastern Conference final match that is full of physicality and cards then we might jump start a rivalry there.</p>
<p><br><b>2) With absences due to international call-ups and suspensions, do we expect KC to play as well at Stade Saputo than it does at Sporting Park? </b></p>
<p>Funny enough, Sporting actually has a better winning percentage on the road than it does at home. They've gotten eight results out of ten games on the road while getting eight results out of eleven at home. It's a surprising number given that Sporting Park is supposedly one of the toughest places to play in. Regardless, the loss of <span>Matt Besler</span> and Aurelein Collin due to a mixture of reasons will really hurt the Sporting back line. The heavy attack that Montreal puts out will really test <span>Ike Opara</span> and <span>Lawrence Olum</span> in the back and I have a bad feeling that the Impact may have the upper hand in this one.</p>
<p><b>3) We all know the big guns of Sporting KC. But who is that hidden dangerous gem that observers might be forgetting about?</b></p>
<p>He won't be hidden for long but that hidden gem has got to be Soony Saad. He was a spot substitute earlier on in the year before getting a chance to start. Since then he's been extremely impressive, creating a force on the wing by offering up chances and scoring goals all by himself. He's scored three goals in two games and doesn't look to be slowing down. The Saad-Bieler-Kamara front line has been the best combination that Sporting has had all season because they compliment each other well.</p>
<p>You can check out my answers to their questions <a href="http://www.thedailywiz.com/2013/7/26/4559336/behind-enemy-lines-three-questions-with-mount-royal-soccer" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
https://www.mountroyalsoccer.com/2013/7/26/4559230/montreal-impact-vs-sporting-kansas-city-preview-three-questions-withSofiane Benzaza