Whitecaps win first leg 1:0 over Impact

Vancouver Whitecaps FC won the opening leg of the 2011 Nutrilite Canadian Championship semi-final leg, winning 1:0 over Impact Montréal at Stade Saputo in Montréal. Canadian midfielder Terry Dunfield, wearing the captain’s armband, scored the lone goal of the match while veteran Jay Nolly recorded his championship-record seventh career clean sheet.



The Dunfield goal was scored in the 67th minute, redirecting a cross from teenager Russell Teibert with a header from within the box. Impact goalkeeper Bill Gaudette, who made several key saves throughout the match, had no chance on the play.



Both sides created chances in the opening half, but nothing overly dangerous that the defences couldn’t handle. Impact striker Ali Gerba had a couple of close calls, including a attempt with a bicycle kick that sailed the ball high.



In the second half, Montréal’s substitutes might have given them life, but that goal just didn’t come. Despite their best efforts, the Impact came out on the losing end of a 0:1 match with the Whitecaps.



Since losing back-to-back matches in 2008, the Whitecaps have dominated the series with five-straight wins over the Impact in the Nutrilite Canadian Championship. The two teams will meet again next Wednesday 4 May in the return leg of the semi-final series.



For this opening match, the Whitecaps’ starting XI featured Jay Nolly in goal, Blake Wagner at left back, Alain Rochat and Michael Boxall at centre back, Jonathan Leathers at right back, Mouloud Akloul, Terry Dunfield, Davide Chiumiento and Russell Teibert at midfield, and Eric Hassli and Camilo up front.



In the second half, coach Teitur Thordarson made just two substitutions, switching Camilo off for Nizar Khalfan (68th minute) and Chiumiento off for Shea Salinas (75′).



The Impact, meanwhile, featured Bill Gaudette in goal, Zurab Tsikaridze at left back, Kevin Hatchi and Nevio Pizzolitto at centre back, Philippe Billy at right back, Luke Kreamlameyer, David Testo, Amir Lowery and Leonardo Di Lorenzo at midfield, and Anthony Le Gall and Ali Gerba up front.



In the second half, coach Marc Dos Santos’ three substitutions were Di Lorenzo off for Idriss Ech Chergui (68′), Kreamlameyer off for Pierre-Rudolph Mayard (75′), and Lowery off for Antonio Ribeiro (75′).