Music: {allcanada} KANSAS CITY TAKES DOWN MONTREAL IN PRE-SEASON ACTION

Saturday, February 26, 2011

{allcanada} KANSAS CITY TAKES DOWN MONTREAL IN PRE-SEASON ACTION

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CASA GRANDE, Ariz. -- Nevio Pizzolitto had an own goal and CJ Sapong also scored as Sporting Kansas City defeated the Montreal Impact 2-0 in pre-season Major League Soccer action Saturday.

Kansas City opened the scoring in the 17th minute. In an effort to intercept a cross from Kansas City's Stephane Auvray, Montreal's Nevio Pizzolitto deflected the ball past goalkeeper Bill Gaudette.

Sporting doubled its lead on a penalty shot in the 73rd minute. CJ Sapong was brought down in the 18-yard box and converted from the spot past substitute goalkeeper Evan Bush.

"We played a really good opponent, that moved the ball really well, but they won the game without really getting good scoring chances. Both goals came out of nowhere," said Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. "Defensively, we were solid, but we have to take better decisions in the third of the field."

Said Impact defender Zurab Tsiskaridze: "A few mistakes cost us today. It's just a question of time before we develop chemistry between us. We are learning to play with each other and we feel like the group is coming together."

The Impact managed two good scoring chances in the 23rd and 36th minutes. After taking a through ball by defender Philippe Billy, forward Ali Gerba fired a low shot from just inside the 18-yard box that was saved by Kansas City's Eric Kronberg.

Less than 15 minutes later, midfielder Luke Kreamalmeyer took a pass from Gerba but fired wide from in close.