Revolution vs. Impact HT: Midfield battle continues as clubs enter break tied at 0-0

The New England Revolution and the Montreal Impact have put a half of soccer in the books without much fanfare as both clubs sit even at 0-0. Chances were scarce for both sides as they struggled to find the final ball necessary for quality opportunities.

Montreal's best chance came in the 18th minute when Marco di Vaio fired off a shot from outside the box that Bobby Shuttleworth saved easily. Three minutes later, di Vaio nearly converted a cross from Jeb Brovsky, but his volley was deflected wide. Though dominant in possession, the Canadian club found it difficult to get good looks in the box or get crosses past Shuttleworth.

The Revs actually put more shots on target, but were just as unsuccessful as the Impact in doing anything particularly dangerous. Fernando Cardenas had a shot from a tight angle saved in the 28th minute after a smooth buildup, and Jerry Bengtson turned Alessandro Nesta in the 43rd minute, but he didn't get all of the ball with his shot and Troy Perkins saved easily.

New England appears to be trying to suffocate the Impact in midfield, packing it with five players and asking their wingers to do a great deal of defensive work. It's stymied most of Montreal's offensive efforts, but it has also resulted in the Revs getting very little of the ball. Even when gaining possession, the Revs appear to have difficulty breaking out of the defensive shell to make plays with it. Bengtson looks fairly lost up top, living in a state of nearly perpetual isolation.