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CCL Preview: Santos Laguna vs. Montreal Impact
Montreal takes a two goal lead to Mexico on Thursday night looking to become the second USL team in the CCL semifinals.
Who: Santos Laguna (MEX) vs. Montreal Impact (CAN)
When: 10:00 pm ET, Thursday, March 5, 2009
Where: Estadio Corona, Torreon, Coahuila, Mexico
TV: Fox Soccer Channel/ Galavision
Mar 5, 2009 11:34:43 AM
The Montreal Impact got a surprising result in Canada last week and now has the opportunity to take its show on the road against Santos Laguna.
The Mexican giants will be hoping to avoid the fate of C.D. Marathon who fell on Wednesday night to the USL’s other quarterfinalist, the Puerto Rico Islanders.
Eduardo Sebrango was Montreal’s hero in the first leg, scoring both of the Impact goals.
However, it was the Canadians' continued defensive excellence that stole the show by holding the powerful Santos attack in check. Despite putting twice as many shots on frame as Montreal, Santos failed to find the net and Montreal ‘keeper Matt Jordan was a big reason why.
Jordan finished the match with eight saves, including one in the 56th minute from a dangerous free kick. With a two goal lead and having not conceded a goal at home, Montreal needs the fine defensive form to continue if they want to earn a semifinal birth.
Santos felt that they were the better team in the first leg, and might have been right in thinking so if the stat line is to be believed. But the only statistic that matters at the end of the day in number of goals scored, and Santos is well behind on that count.
Despite bringing out a strong roster that included most of the Warriors' regular starters, Santos could not find the breakthrough. Christian Benitez and Matias Vuoso will need to sharpen up in front of goal if Santos is to close the gap.
Both are classy strikers, but neither could find the finishing touch when opportunities fell their way.
One bright spot for Santos was the solid play of Francisco Torres on the wing. The former Club America midfielder was bright throughout the first leg and supplied Benitez and Vuoso with several good opportunities on goal.
The change of scenery should be a good thing for Santos, who had to battle against a hostile crowd and artificial surface in the away leg. The Warriors were incredibly impressive at home during the group stage, scoring nine goals and conceding only two in six matches.
Those results included a 3-0 victory over the USL’s Puerto Rico Islanders after having lost a 3-1 decision to Puerto Rico on the road.
Players To Watch
Montreal Impact: Nevio Pizzolitto. Montreal’s captain and defensive leader will have his work cut out for him on Thursday with Santos sure to come out firing.
Santos Laguna: Christian Benitez. Simply put, it’s up to Benitez to put the ball in the net for Santos.
Goal.com Prediction: One interesting thing to note is that Montreal has yet to lose a match in the CCL by more than one goal and have only conceded two goals in a single match once. Santos will probably win this one, but Montreal will do enough to get through.
Santos Laguna 1-0 Montreal Impact
Allen Ramsey, Goal.com
The Mexican giants will be hoping to avoid the fate of C.D. Marathon who fell on Wednesday night to the USL’s other quarterfinalist, the Puerto Rico Islanders.
Eduardo Sebrango was Montreal’s hero in the first leg, scoring both of the Impact goals.
However, it was the Canadians' continued defensive excellence that stole the show by holding the powerful Santos attack in check. Despite putting twice as many shots on frame as Montreal, Santos failed to find the net and Montreal ‘keeper Matt Jordan was a big reason why.
Jordan finished the match with eight saves, including one in the 56th minute from a dangerous free kick. With a two goal lead and having not conceded a goal at home, Montreal needs the fine defensive form to continue if they want to earn a semifinal birth.
Santos felt that they were the better team in the first leg, and might have been right in thinking so if the stat line is to be believed. But the only statistic that matters at the end of the day in number of goals scored, and Santos is well behind on that count.
Despite bringing out a strong roster that included most of the Warriors' regular starters, Santos could not find the breakthrough. Christian Benitez and Matias Vuoso will need to sharpen up in front of goal if Santos is to close the gap.
Both are classy strikers, but neither could find the finishing touch when opportunities fell their way.
One bright spot for Santos was the solid play of Francisco Torres on the wing. The former Club America midfielder was bright throughout the first leg and supplied Benitez and Vuoso with several good opportunities on goal.
The change of scenery should be a good thing for Santos, who had to battle against a hostile crowd and artificial surface in the away leg. The Warriors were incredibly impressive at home during the group stage, scoring nine goals and conceding only two in six matches.
Those results included a 3-0 victory over the USL’s Puerto Rico Islanders after having lost a 3-1 decision to Puerto Rico on the road.
Players To Watch
Montreal Impact: Nevio Pizzolitto. Montreal’s captain and defensive leader will have his work cut out for him on Thursday with Santos sure to come out firing.
Santos Laguna: Christian Benitez. Simply put, it’s up to Benitez to put the ball in the net for Santos.
Goal.com Prediction: One interesting thing to note is that Montreal has yet to lose a match in the CCL by more than one goal and have only conceded two goals in a single match once. Santos will probably win this one, but Montreal will do enough to get through.
Santos Laguna 1-0 Montreal Impact
Allen Ramsey, Goal.com
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