2006 Jul 26

Montreal Impact  1 - 0  Seattle Sounders
Claude-Robillard Sports Complex, Montreal, QC

Montreal: Andrew Weber; Adam Braz, Gabriel Gervais, Nevio Pizzolitto, Mauricio Vincello; Zé Roberto, Lars Lyssand, Kirk Wilson (Mesut Mert 64'), Mauro Biello (Dan Antoniuk 75'); Massimo Di Ioia (Jeol Bailey 62', Masahiro Fukasawa 86'), Mauricio Salles (Antonio Ribeiro 71'). Substitutes not used: Gerry Argento, David Fronimadis.

Seattle: Chris Eylander; Danny Jackson, Noah Merl (Craig Tomlinson 80'), Stephen Keel, Jordan Harvey (Jake Besagno 88'); Ben Somoza (CJ Klaas 62'), Kevin Sakuda, Leighton O'Brien, Andrew Gregor; Roger Levesque, Cam Weaver. Substitutes not used: Jake Sagare.

Goals:
9' MON: Salles

Additional match reports: Impact, Montreal Gazette, Courrier Laval.

Match report from the Sounders:

The Seattle Sounders faced the league leading Montreal Impact in their first of three road matches this week. On an early goal by forward Mauricio Salles, the Impact defeated the Sounders 1-0 at Claude-Robillard Sports Complex. Montreal held on to their one goal lead despite several chances by the Sounders late in the match. The loss is the second for the Sounders in their last eight matches, both coming at the hand of the Impact. The Sounders now move on to play the Rochester Raging Rhinos on Friday, July 28th.

Montreal Forward Mauricio Salles tallied his sixth goal of the season in the ninth minute giving the Impact a 1-0 lead. The Impact controlled possession in the first half as Salles' goal was just one of his five shots in the first half. The Sounders were outshot 5-11, but the tables would turn in the second half.

A red card ejection issued to Montreal's Ze Roberto at 69' ignited Seattle's offensive barrage in the second half as the Sounders outshot the Impact 10-4 in the final 45 minutes. Sounders rookie forward and leading scorer Cam Weaver had four shots in the match including the potential equalizer in the 83rd minute, but couldn't get one past Impact goalkeeper Andrew Weber, who posted his seventh shutout of the season.

Sounders goalkeeper Chris Eylander recorded a career high eight saves on 15 shots faced. The 1-0 loss is on the third time this season the Sounders have been shut out.

The Impact continue their flawless home record, now 6-3-0, and have outscored opponents 14-2.

Moving on to Rochester, NY the Sounders visit the Raging Rhinos at their new facility, PAETAC Park, on Friday, July 28th. The match in Rochester will be televised live on Fox Soccer Channel; kickoff is scheduled for 5:00 pm. The Raging Rhinos are currently in third place in the USL First Division.

Note: With 13,397 spectators, the Impact set a new attendance record for the regular season, surpassing the previous mark of 13,367 fans established on July 11 against Toronto. It was also the Impact's second largest crowd in club history, after the 2004 championship final, September 18, 2005, which attracted 13,648 spectators, also against the Sounders.

Statistics:
           Montreal   Seattle
Shots:       15        15
Saves:        6         8
Corners:      6         8
Fouls:       20        17
Offsides:     1         2

Misconduct:
33' MON: Zé Roberto cautioned for a foul against Gregor
33' SEA: Gregor cautioned for retaliating against Ze Roberto
48' MON: Salles cautioned
51' SEA: Merl cautioned
62' SEA: Weaver cautioned for dissent
69' MON: Zé Roberto cautioned and sent off for his second caution
76' MON: Pizzolitto cautioned
85' MON: Braz cautioned

Referees: Mike Connolly; Daniel Belleau, Bedik Charchafian; Carol-Anne-Chénard

Attendance: 13,397