Forward Pascal Millien crosses the ball in an attempt to score. FC Tampa Bay would end up winning 1-0.
Colin O’Hara
Contributing Writer
The City of St. Petersburg welcomed FC Tampa Bay with chants and open arms during their 1-0 season opening win over the Montreal Impact on Saturday, April 9. Al Lang Stadium was buzzing with excitement during the pre-game announcements of the team, and the crowd was ready for action after a stunning performance of both Canadian and American national anthems, sung by Carrissa Peros.
FC Tampa Bay dominated possession in the first half and only allowed Montreal two shots on net in the first 45 minutes. But the team formerly known as the Rowdies was unable to find the back of the net themselves, despite early chances by Aaron King and Pascal Millien.
The 84th minute of play presented a potential game-changing opportunity for the FC Tampa Bay as a penalty kick was awarded when Montreal goalkeeper Bill Gaudette fouled Tampa striker Warren Ukah in the penalty area. Tsuyoshi Yoshitake stepped up to the penalty spot to face the keeper one-on-one but pushed the shot just wide of the net, skimming the outside of the post.
The two teams continued to battle each other in a scoreless game until midfielder Takuya Yamada blasted a late strike in the 85th minute from 30 yards out to open the scoring for FC Tampa Bay. The lone goal was enough to clinch the team’s first win of the season in their new St. Petersburg home.
“I saw the open space and shot it hard,” Yamada said. Yamada’s quick shot was buried near the right post of the goal, going just under the keeper’s hands as he dove in an attempt to make the save.
“Yama[da] hit a great shot,” said goalkeeper Daryl Sattler. “It skipped under the keeper and we’ll take it. It’s good we took those chances. You can’t win if you don’t shoot.”
The win marks the team’s first-ever victory over Montreal. Prior to the 2011 season, FC Tampa Bay had faced the Impact twice and had dropped both contests to them, conceding five goals and being shut out once.
“To us, they were just another opponent,” Sattler said. “Everyone is trying to get that first win, and today, someone was going to win and I felt like we were the better team.”
Sattler, who saved all eight shots faced, praised his teammates for helping him earn the shutout.
“I give credit to all the guys in front of me,” Sattler said. “It was a total team effort. Everyone was ready for this.”
As the team continues to grow, the players will only be more comfortable with one other and continue to play strong as a single unit.
“We looked real good,” said Jeremy Christie, who is sidelined due to injury. “We controlled the positions and dominated the game in the first half. I thought it was a really good performance and we deserved to win.”
“We’re a very experienced group of players,” he said. “It’s a great bunch of guys and our coach is awesome and keeps us relaxed and wanting to play.”
The Impact will become a Major League Soccer team when the 2011-12 season rolls around. But the transition won’t occur before the team has to face FC Tampa Bay three more times this year, including Montreal’s home opener April 23 and a May 21 matchup when the Impact returns to St. Petersburg.
FC Tampa Bay will play its next game against the Puerto Rico Islanders at home on Sunday, April 17 at 6 p.m.
