Marsch: For Impact, one loss does not a season make

Jesse Marsch PHOTO: MIONTREAL IMPACT

After Saturday’s 2-0 MLS-opening loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps at B.C. Place, Montreal coach Jesse Marsch declared that one game does not a season make.

“If we had won tonight it’s not as if we’re a team already and because we lost it’s not like we have to start all over.”

Montreal’s players seemed slow to react and tentative on many occasions, appearing indecisive when playing the ball, with the delays allowing the Whitecaps to ultimately counter their visitors effectively with the offensively minded. Set plays were less than effective and their ensemble play showed that it is not yet at the level it has to be for the Montrealers to compete in their initial MLS season.

Vancouver’s second goal came early in the second half as midfielder Camilo, a “shifty, clever guy” in Marsch’s estimation, powered the ball into the mesh behind Ricketts from just outside the six-metre box, placing it just inside the far post as he doubled his team’s lead.

In an effort to stimulate his offence Marsch pulled Justin Braun, Patrice Bernier and Justin Mapp, replacing them with Andrew Wenger, Miguel Montano and Michael Fucito respectively as the second half proceeded, but the changes did not bring the desired result.

Jeb Brovsky, who came in for plaudits from coach Marsch for his play this afternoon said that while the Impact did not get the result they had hoped for, they had their opportunites.

“We had a decent number of chances. We had a couple key moments in the game when we could have made it 1-1 but we didn’t take advantage of them.”

Vancouver coach Martin Rennie pronounced himself pleased with his team’s win and had praise for the Impact efforts, saying, ”It was a game that Montreal did real well in as they pushed us very hard all the way to the end. It was very exciting for the fans, especially as we got goals early in both halves.”

Impact owner Joey Saputo took in his team’s first MLS game and while disappointed with the result is positive about the team’s chances over the rest of the season.

“Hopefully we’ll be able to do better in Montreal next week,“ he said after the team’s opener was in the books. He then spoke about ticket sales for next week’s home opener.

“As of yesterday we were at 43,000. Our target is still 58,000 so hopefully we’ll get to that point. Montreal draws good walk-up crowds and we’re anticipating that we should hit that mark. Again it all depends on the reaction of a lot of the fans is based on today’s game,” Saputo said.

In terms of season ticket sales, Saputo remains optimistic and mentioned that the Impact still has time to sell more seats before reoccupying their home field.

“We’re kind of lucky with the season tickets in that we can sell them up until June when the stadium is going to be ready. Montreal’s an event town and hopefully we can create a couple events prior to the home opener at the stadium to drive up the ticket sales.”

The Impact plays its home opener next Saturday , March 17, against the Chicago Fire.

THROW-INS — Keeper Evan Bush and striker Eddy Sebrango, both members of last season’s squad did not make the trip to Vancouver with the Impact this weekend.

• Montreal has not come out on the desired ed of a season opener since 2004 while the Vancouver is riding a decade-long undefeated run, not having lost a curtain-raiser since undertaking the 2001 schedule.