Calgary Storm Match Reports by Jason Kmet

June 1, 2003 -- Montreal Impact 4 at Calgary Storm 0

IMPACT DOMINATES STORM 4-0 

In the brief history of the Calgary Storm, one factor seems certain:  fans love to watch the Canadian clubs face off.  Further evidence was presented on Sunday when the Montreal Impact came to Calgary to face the Storm.  For the first time all season, there was a lineup at the ticket office.  In fact, the lineup about 15 minutes prior to kickoff  had almost as many people in it than some earlier Storm crowds. Unfortunately, the estimated crowd of 1000 was disappointed as the Storm were outclassed 4-0 by the Impact.

The action really got going in the 10th minute, when Montreal forward Eduardo Sebrango streaked down the right side.  His shot looked dangerous, but went wide right.  Sebrango and Ze Roberto continued to give the Storm defense fits in the early part of the game.

In the 18th minute, it looked like the Storm was going to take the lead when a pass came in to Calgary midfielder Conrad Chala, who knocked it to Liam DeSilva.  He volleyed his shot just over the bar.

Up until this point, the Storm played the Impact pretty evenly.  But once the 20th minute hit, the floodgates opened.  Sebrango came in on the familiar right side and put a cross into the box.  Veteran Mauro Biello, unmarked in front of the net, made no mistake and put the ball past Storm keeper David Wiebenga.

At the 29th minute mark, the Impact increased their lead when rookie Sita-Taty Motando took a shot from the right side.   Somehow it went in on the short side past Wiebenga.  This was the young Canadian's first professional goal.

A minute later, the lead increased to three when Sebrango put across the front of the goal crease.  The Storm's C.J.Pesznecker attempted to knock it away, but instead put it into his own net.

The second half started with the Impact fully in control.  Any glimmer of hope Storm fans held were extinguished in the 58th minute when Ajai Authers received his second yellow card in six minutes, resulting in ejection.

With Calgary a man down, the Impact didn't have much to worry about for the rest of the game.  In the 72nd minute, Sebrango took a shot that hit the near post. 

Mark Korthius of the Storm had a decent chance in the 75th minute, but by the time he gathered up the ball only a handful of metres from the goal, the Impact defense had swarmed on his position.

A bit of drama unfolded in the 77th minute when Matondo and Mark Rowland broke in on a 2-1 play.  Matondo passed to Rowland, but Wiebenga knocked him down before received the pass.  This resulted in a penalty shot.  Naturally, the red-hot Sebrango was selected.  His shot appeared to resemble a field goal attempt more than a penalty shot and went way over the bar.

Sebrango's gaffe, however minor when considering the score, was quickly forgotten five minutes later.  Montreal rounded out the scoring when substitute Abraham Francois crossed a ball in from the far right to Sebrango, who was waiting by the far post.  He finished with a neat header into the top left corner of the goal.

Mercifully for Storm fans, the last few minutes ticked away which left the final at Montreal 4 Calgary 0.

STORM WARNINGS: 

Calgary's Brett Bachelu, Richard Henry and Jamie Auvigne all missed the game due to injury.  Since Henry was unavailable, fellow Jamaican Jermaine Richards was able to dress under the import quota.  He didn't make it off the bench...Martin Nash and Nevio Pizzolito of the Impact missed the game because they were with Canada's national team in Germany.  Nash set up Canada's only goal in a 4-1 loss...Former Storm forward Chris Lemire returned to Foothills Park as a member of the Impact.  Last year he led the Storm in scoring and is a member of Canada's U23 and U20 clubs.  He is expected to be chosen to play in the FIFA Youth World Cup (U20) in the United Arab Emirates this November...In a matchup of Canadian clubs, both starting keepers were Americans:  Montreal's Michael Ueltschey (Jackson, Mississippi) against Calgary's David Wiebenga (Raytoen, Missouri).. Montreal extended their undefeated streak to six games...This match counted in the Voyageurs Cup competition, which puts each Canadian A-League club in a battle for this fan-sponsored cup.  The Impact now have a 3-0-0 record in the tournament.  With away wins against Vancouver and Calgary, they are already heavy favorites to repeat as winners.  For more information go to www.voyageurscup.ca...The Storm now depart for a road trip with their next game in Cincinnati on Friday.  Their next "home" game will be held in Saskatoon against the Vancouver Whitecaps on June 14.  Their next match at Foothills Park is the next day when they face the same Vancouver squad.

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