The Montreal Impact got back to winning ways with a 2-0 home victory over last season’s Eastern Conference champions, Columbus Crew SC. The home side opened the scoring in the second half through Hassoun Camara’s header following a corner kick. Four minutes before time, Kyle Bekker headed home Ambroise Oyongo’s cross to guarantee the three points.
Kyle Bekker (Oyongo) 86’ (2-0)
The goal
In the 86th minute, the Impact was already leading 1-0 after Camara scored, minutes after the break. The match itself was evenly contested with both sides rueing missed chances in the first half.
Bekker’s goal resulted from a Columbus turnover in midfield. Centre back Michael Parkhurst was trying to initiate his team’s attack from the back. The Impact’s compressed defensive block limited his options, and a pass intended for Wil Trapp reached Impact winger Johan Venegas near the centre line instead.
The Costa Rican quickly played a short pass to Eric Alexander and sprinted forward to initiate the counter. With plenty of space forward to attack, Alexander spread the ball wide to right fullback Oyongo, who was surging forward.
Alexander and Oyongo did well to identify the space ahead and play quickly up the field to take advantage of an unbalanced Crew SC defence. Oyongo dribbled towards the opposing net and crossed in a pinpoint ball for Bekker, cutting in from the other side, who simply had to direct his header on goal.
The Impact is known to be an excellent team in transition going forward, and Columbus was caught multiple times after giving away balls too easily, resulting in big chances. Opposing teams need to be very careful of where they lose the ball, as the Impact is always ready to make them pay.
