D Natural is back!

Yes I’ve been away for a while, and yes the world was briefly robbed of anglo Gulls coverage, what with Steve Beau and I both being gripped hard by the strong hands of apathy.

I was going to write up about the very well played Gulls-Raging Rhinos tilt, which saw IMFC win a very important match on the final night game of the regular season, in which Ali Gerba(Zherba) scored the fastest goal in club history, a mere 17 seconds into the game. He then potted his second later on in the game, to make his goal total over the last 2 games to a whopping 5, with two consecutive record setting games. People were certainly happy about that:

But then I was going to write about the Canada match, in which Canada won in front of a, for once, pro-Canadian crowd in Canada against their CONCACAF rivals Honduras, 2-1. The game was also characterised by the creation of an Ultras group for Canada, with the aims of fully supporting their nation in a way more familiar and comfortable to ultras all across the nation, as well as it being Paul Stalteri’s record setting game where he became Canada’s all time senior men’s cap leader:

Ultras banner, Courtesy RedNationOnline.ca

This win in Montreal broke our 427 day streak without a win. People were certainly happy about that:

http://vimeo.com/14789442

But then I was going to write about Montreal’s come from behind win over the PR Islanders, 2-1. Yet another match where Ali Gerba(Zherba) showed his brilliance when focused, with two nice goals, including a ~30 yard golazo. People were certainly happy about that:

http://www.rds.ca/zv2/?categorie=impact (click the Impact 2 Islanders 1)

But then I decided to do a small writeup about this crucial upcoming game against The Rowdies, and how a win on sunday will lock us into the playoffs, and how well that looks, considering how positive the team has been playing of late. And by team I mean Ali Gerba(Zherba), and how he’s dragging us kicking and screaming into the post season with seven goals in his last three games.

Tous au Stade!

PS: Thanks to BallonRondMTL for the Rochester video, and Zed for the Canada match.

Looking Ahead

So, in order to try and pretend that the Gulls-Rhinos rivalry is still a relevant one, and not the footballing equivalent of an estranged and soon to be divorced couple I went above and beyond for gameday, deciding to use it as the framing device for my very first player interview, with a very important Gull, Stephen Deroux. I truthfully think that today we’ll see a change group of Gulls, ones that are able to terrorize defenses, and play competently. Hopefully I’m not wrong because there not many teams better to give confidence than a fellow team that is struggling with mediocre results, as well as a home game against a longtime rivalry. So let’s get on to the very first D&G Interview(whoooo!):

D&G: So Stephen I’m real glad you were able to take some time out of your day to answer a few of my questions. It’s a real pleasure to hear from you, as I find it kind of strange we don’t hear more from you in the media. Either way, let’s get to it.

How did it feel last year to win the cup in Montreal?

DeRoux: It felt really good, it was my first championship in my career.

D&G: With the recent MLS announcement, Montreal has been given the OK to play in the league come 2012. Is there a lot of excitement in the dressing room about the announcement and do you hope to still be a part of the team in 2012?

DeRoux: Yeah, I would love to be a part of the squad when we go to the MLS. The club and all the players are really excited.

D&G: You turned quite a lot of heads in the recent friendly against AC Milan, how did it feel to not only step on the field with them, but also do so well?

DeRoux: Playing against AC Milan brought out the best in me, I think for a person to reach their full potential, they have to be put to the tests. It was a dream come true.

D&G: You yourself have been having a pretty good year, what do you think about the club’s performance so far?

DeRoux: I think we’re in a good position to finish first in our division, and first in the league also.

D&G: What do you think the main difference is between last year’s club and this year’s edition? Is the loss of Joey Gjertsen significant to the team?

DeRoux: The team is the same as a whole, except it’s a couple of different players have to play the same role for us.

D&G: Can you tell me how the team feels about their good play on the field, except when it comes to finishing?

DeRoux: As a team, we need to get better in all aspects of our game.

D&G: Is there a sense of pressure in the locker room to try and repeat last season’s success? IF SO, do you think that pressure is what’s causing the teams lack of finishing?

DeRoux: Pressure is something we can deal with because last year we were under a lot of pressure and came out on top, so that’s not it.

D&G: Has there been any sort of change in the way the club are approaching set pieces such as corners and free kicks?

DeRoux: We just have to be a lot more aggressive when it comes to our set pieces.

D&G: Do you think that the club might have turned around after the 2-1 win in Tampa?

DeRoux: Yeah, the win gave us some  more momentum and motivation to play our next game against Rochester.

D&G: I actually met you, briefly, at the Bell Centre when the Canadiens honoured the impact’s cup win. How do you feel about hockey and the city of Montreal?

DeRoux: This is a hockey city but soccer is on the rise and now that the Impact are going to the MLS, which is a great thing for soccer in Montreal. I love playing here.

D&G: A quick search of you online turns up results from girls talking about how much they, let’s say, admire you. Do you feel like Montreal is a great place to play professionally, and how do you feel about all the women out there who follow and support you?

DeRoux: I love playing in the city of Montreal. We’re ranked with some of the top fanbases in MLS and I appreciate all support I get from the city and from them.

D&G: What has been your favourite moment this season, and what was the most disappointing?

DeRoux: Playing against AC Milan was definitely my favourite moment by far while losing to Minnesota was my most disappointing.

D&G: Do you have anything to say to the Ultras, or Impact fans in general?

DeRoux: I love you guys, a lot of our success is because of you guys and thanks for all the continuous support.

D&G: Thanks for your time and good luck to you in the season and against Rochester!

DeRoux: Thanks!

—
Hopefully today we’ll be witness to some of the momentum and confidence that Stephen mentioned, and today is the turnaround we’ve all been waiting for.

Montreal Roundup!

In order to reduce the amount of daily small posts, I decided to wait a suitable amount of time, and present all Gulls related news in one handy-dandy, easy to link to(hint-hint) D&G post that covers the recent topics that have popped up in Montreal.

First off, WE SCORED!! Not just one, but Two(!) goals against Tampa Bay! Such a monumental occasion, it surely ranks up there with our three league titles and seven national titles. Hence my, perhaps over the top reaction, which consisted of lighting off four flares at work. I kid, it was only three flares.

So, two goals in one game, a feat that has only happened once before this season, in the 2-1 comeback against NSC Minnesota (sing louder, we can win this, it’s only Minnesota!). Oddly enough, this finished 2-1 as well, though it was not a comeback, for once.

Second of all, Montreal’s Baby Gulls spread their adorable little fledgling wings in front of 2,100 people against FCE tonight, resulting in a 3-0 loss against the Prairie Dogs. From the reports from those at the match, there was the promise of potential atmosphere with the Edmonton Supporters Group, as well as ownerships that seems willing to foster a loyal supporters atmosphere. A young Canadian of only 17 years managed to get two goals of his own this match. Hopefully, it was not a fluke and he continues to improve. The sole player to have played tonight  for the senior side this year was one Tyler Hemming, the Canadian midfielder who’s been on the outside looking in. Pity he plays in our strongest position as it gives him so few opportunities to crack the lineup. It seems hemming knows this, as he also spent time tonight as keeper, after Badescu received a red card. Maybe he thinks with Jordan’s injury, he has a better chance to crack the Gulls, as one of our goalies.

He probably has a better chance, to be honest. Next up for the Vermin is their match against Chilean Colo-Colo.

Next on the docket for those in Montreal is the home match sunday versus our once “proud(ish)” rivals, the Rochester (Raging) Rhinos. Don’t expect away support, as it seems the Stampede have all died, most likely myocardial infarctions brought about through years of eating garbage plates:

Heart Attacks never looked so good.

Also, expect another update sometime before the Rochester game, as I sit down with none other than the Gulls’ own Stephen Deroux.

So… Looks like it’s rant day.

Following hot on the heels of the temporarily handicapped Steven Beauregard, I’ve decided to try and follow his example and make “Friendly” Wednesday the annual holiday for Impact bloggers to bitch about the state of affairs in Montréal.

First of all, this man is spot on. I have never heard so many casual nonfans(I prefer to call them plagistes) talk about the Impact before. At work, hearing old Italian men saying “Oh, so are you guys going to see Milan? They’re playing the Impact.” “Who’s the Impact?”. I have basically overheard versions of that conversation about 50 times since the friendly was announced with variations being “oh, the Impact, they’re gonna get destroyed, brrrrroooooooooooooooo” and “we should go to the game and fight the AC Milan fans. Montréal Hooligans!!!” instead of “Who’s the Impact?”.

Basically, the attitude of the majority of people in this town is that of a typical North American, sports fan or otherwise. If it isn’t the best, it’s the worst. The entitlement of North Americans is amazing, anything other than top flight, is destined to fail, with some exceptions. The NFL is the best gridiron league in the world (not much competition, really), the NBA is (allegedly) the best Basketball league in the world, the NHL is the best as well( excluding a few bottom feeder NHL teams and top European sides). All this has cultured north Americans to grow up thinking that the only thing that warrants, nay, deserves their time, is the elite leagues and players, nothing less, excluding Canada’s religious obsession with hockey which allows the minor leagues to have relative success in some areas.

All this entitlement will be on display today versus ACM, as many fans will graciously give us a portion of their valuable time and descend upon the Big Nest to see their city “their (great great great grandfather’s) city” play a game. The ultimate insult is that they think that it would be a much better idea to spend 40+ dollars to sit and watch a meaningless friendly, rather than 10-20$ to see us win a cup, play a hated rival or just generally support their city.

The only suitable response is to bide our time, laugh it off(while a part of my soul dies in the process) and wait for MLS. When those same “forza milan brrrrrrrrroooooooooooo” people jump on the impact because they’re the latest Gull on the beach, we get our revenge.

Aime ta Ville

Supporte ton Club

Damned if we do…

As the ever astute Steve Beauregard says, no matter the outcome, Impact fans will leave Stade Saputo disappointed.

Disappointed because tomorrow(today actually) is pretty close to the mythical “lose-lose situation” I’ve been told exists.

If Montreal beats our westerly brothers from Vancouver, we get at least one mark in the “W” column of the Voyageurs Cup standings. Yay! But were that to happen, that would also give the V cup to our p’tit frères from Toronto, who will no doubt once again proudly carry the Canadian flag well past the group stage of the Champions League, as was the case last year…

If we lose to our lovably polite and well mannered friends in Vancouver, we’re destined to finish yet another cup in last place, which as a fan of the Gulls, I am quite unused to. But were that to happen, those ever so bland Vancouverites would be able to push the tournament to the 24th hour, taking the fight to BMO and their legions of better-check-my-blackberry-while-flares-are-going-off stockbroker fans, where they traditionally play above expectations. Making it so that the cup is once again decided, as it should be, with the final game of the tournament is not only a positive for every Voyageur, seeing that the competition is indeed capable of meaningful finishes, as well as pleasing those outside of Toronto, in the hopes that Vancouver does their usual anti-red display and do what needs to be done to prevent Toronto from hoisting the cup once more.

The fact that, essentially, the club is playing yet another useless match has left Montreal in quite an odd state. Fans have been noted online as saying they wouldn’t mind another C-team rollover a-la 2009, due to the fact it can possibly keep the red scum from the cup. Others hope to trounce the Caps, Toronto be damned, whatever it takes.

The fact that no consensus on how to handle the situation has been established as of 0400 this morning leads me to believe that, if any of you dear readers are the type to see what the stadium atmosphere is like, buy a ticket, or tune in to (sigh) Sportsnet, tonight to see what is guaranteed to be a strange, strange spectacle off the field.

I for one, will be in the stands, more confused than a sailor on shore(Newfieism) about what to hope for out of my Gulls.

Though, setting my patented Voyageurs brand pessimism aside for a second and presenting a thought that just happened to fly through my beautiful face, a fan of IMFC could also theoretically leave the stadium happy at any outcome of the game, as for our situation to be lose-lose, it must also be win-win(kinda).

Except a draw…Shit.

Here’s hoping the CSA properly handles the upcoming arrival of the enigmatic Edmontonians in 2011. The longshot hope I have for this match is going up the steps to CXIV, and seeing my beautiful Carlsberg beer girl accompany me to the party that will be 114.