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  • Montreal's surprise draw with Club America: The view from Latin America


    Grant

    ESPN Deportes - America suffers more than necessary in a first-leg draw with Impact

    America's Saviour appeared when they needed him most. Oribe Peralta woke a sleeping and dazed America to give hope to the Eagles, who suffered against the Impact in the final round of the CONCACAF Champions League at the Azteca. Oribe appeared and Matosas could breathe. At the end it was drawn at one goal apiece and left all be decided in Montreal.

    America didn’t encounter a Herediano in the Azteca as happened a few weeks ago. The Eagles faced a more prepared, experienced and focused Impact. Montreal knew what they wanted and what they needed to do to get that. Their clear ideas were reflected throughout the game.

    Secure in defense, strong in midfield with the indomitable Nigel Reo-Coker and shrewd front with Ignacio Piatti and Dominic Oduro, the Canadian group settled in the Azteca, played with intelligence, always very patient and tidy. They had a well prepared plan and followed it step by step.

    Azteca Deportes (Mexico) - Oribe Peralta rescues America from ridicule

    The controversial play of the first half came when the Honduran referee, Hector Rodriguez, decided to annul a goal by Michael Arroyo due to an offside call. It was a close play and disputed by the Americanistas who filled the grandstands.

    Amid an ineffective attack, Gustavo Matosas subbed in Oribe Peralta during the second half, who in the end became the hero for the azulcremas.

    Another incident that deserves noting occurred when Benedetto came off the field to a chorus of boos to make room for Martín Zúñiga. In a clear sign of disapproval, America's number nine made a hand gesture that seemed to indicate the fans were crazy.

    Medio Tiempo (Mexico) - America left with life against Impact

    He had to come off the bench to give new life to America. When it seemed that the doubts would become that much larger, Oribe Peralta appeared in the agony of the match to make it 1-1 against the Montreal Impact, and Matosas’ Eagles remain with aspirations to reach the final of the CONCACAF Champions League.

    After missing on a number of occasions, the Mexican striker appeared to head the ball home just as despair was starting to grip the team and the fans that filled the Azteca.

    And it was in those final minutes when the colossus really woke up and appeared ready for a memorable comeback, because for most of the game the Canadian squad knew how to keep the game quiet and take advantage of America’s offensive blunders.

    La Nacion (Costa Rica) - The Montreal Impact take a grand step toward the Concacaf title

    The Canadians were not intimidated during their visit to Azteca Stadium and rather were two minutes away from the win against America.

    Meanwhile, the America squad suffered yet again and battled against the scoreline until the 88th minute due to an early goal on 16 minutes from the Argentine midfielder Ignacio Piatti.

    The visitors were better team in the first half; they handcuffed America in midfield and took advantage of the the speed of their attackers to do damage on the counterattack.

    Diez (Honduras) - America rescues a tie against the Impact

    In the first half the Montreal Impact had two chances to grow the lead: the first was wasted by Piatti who tried to float the ball over keeper Moises Munoz; the second was interrupted by a pulldown by Paraguayan Osvaldo Martinez on Dominic Oduro, who had started to break away one-on-one with the Mexican goalkeeper.

    In the second half, urged on by the sound of 100,000 followers, America tired of generating dangerous opportunities and failing to capitalize. Quintero, the Argentine Dario Benedetto and Oribe Peralta let Bush off the hook in front of goal.

    Then the crossbar denied America the tying goal at 67 minutes as Argentine Rubens Sambueza bounced a powerful left-footed shot that hit the bar from the middle distance.



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