Eight-game unbeaten streak at Stade Saputo comes to an end with loss
MONTREAL - The Montreal Impact suffered its first home loss of the 2019 season, falling 2-0 to New York City FC, Saturday night at Stade Saputo. Midfielder Maximiliano Moralez opened the scoring in the sixth minute for the visitors, before Ismael Tajouri-Shradi scored the insurance goal in the 49th minute. It brings an end to an eight-game unbeaten streak at Stade Saputo for the Impact, dating back to July 28, 2018.
“The fact that we went down very early is never good, especially against a good team,” said Impact head coach Rémi Garde. “We were confident at half-time that we would come back. The desire to score and not concede another was there. We’re not pleased after a defeat, especially at home, but I think the team’s collective attitude was good tonight, and I’m disappointed for the players because of the effort they put into this game.”
Visitors strike early
The visitors opened the scoring early, in the sixth minute. Midfielder Anton Tinnerholm, with space in front of Montreal’s box, passed between the lines for Ebenezer Ofori to Evan Bush’s right. Although the American goalkeeper made the initial save, his 500th in MLS, Maximiliano Moralez was there to slot in the rebound.
It’s the first goal allowed on home soil for the Impact this season. The last time Montreal conceded a goal at home was on September 22, 2018, in a 1-1 tie against NYCFC.
Rémi Garde’s men settled into the game afterwards, spending more time in New York’s final third as the half wore on, but struggling to get clean looks on goal. In the 35th minute, midfielder Saphir Taïder found full-back Zachary Brault-Guillard on the right flank. The Canadian international made his way forward before sending in a cross for Taïder, but the Algerian’s header missed just wide.
“Our opponent caused us a lot of problems tactically,” said full-back Zachary Brault-Guillard. “We tried doing good things, but they scored in the worst possible moments. That hurt us more than anything. We’ll bounce back. We have two games next week, that’s what’s most important now.”
Then, in the 42nd minute, a corner swung in by midfielder Harry Novillo was met in the box by Orji Okwonkwo, but his header missed just over the bar.
Citizens double their lead
Four minutes after returning from the locker rooms, the Citizens struck again. With space in front of him on the right side, Tinnerholm ran towards the Impact’s touchline, trying to cut in towards the box before being blocked by Okwonkwo. The ball deflected directly into the feet of Ismael Tajouri-Shradi, who neatly picked out the top right corner to double his team’s lead.
The game marked Finnish defender Jukka Raitala’s 50th start in MLS, 30 of those coming with the Montreal Impact.
“We’ve been strong at home, especially defensively, so it was tough for us to concede a goal so early,” said Impact centre-back Jukka Raitala. “It was difficult to come back and creating chances. All in all, I think NYCFC was better than us. We had scoring opportunities, but there was a lack of accuracy for us, and they were sharper than us.”
Upcoming games
Montreal will be back on the road for two games, the first against the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena on Wednesday, May 8 at 8pm (TVA Sports, 98.5, TSN 690), and the second against FC Cincinnati for the first time since it joined MLS, at Nippert Stadium on Saturday, May 11, at 1pm (TVA Sports, TSN, 98.5, TSN 690). The Impact will be back at Stade Saputo on Saturday, May 18, to take on the New England Revolution at 1pm (TICKETS – TVA Sports, 98.5, TSN 690).
LINE-UPS
MTL – GK-Evan Bush; D-Zachary Brault-Guillard, Zakaria Diallo, Jukka Raitala, Daniel Lovitz; M-Samuel Piette, Micheal Azira (Shamit Shome 86’), Saphir Taïder; F-Harry Novillo (Omar Browne 46’), Anthony Jackson-Hamel, Orji Okwonkwo (Maximiliano Urruti 57’)
Subs not used – Clément Diop, Daniel Kinumbe, Rudy Camacho, Ken Krolicki
NYCFC – GK-Sean Johnson; D-Alexander Callens, Maxime Chanot, Sebastien Ibeagha; M-Alexander Ring, Anton Tinnerholm, Ben Sweat, Ebenezer Ofori (Tony Rocha 68’); F-Héber, Ismael Tajouri-Shradi (Valentín Castellanos 86’), Maximiliano Moralez (Jesús Medina 63’)
Subs not used – Brad Stuver, Daniel Bedoya, Jonathan Lewis, Keaton Parks
GOALS
NYCFC – Moralez 6’
NYCFC – Tajouri-Shradi (Moralez 49’)
CAUTIONS
MTL – Lovitz 31’
MTL – Taïder 40’
NYCFC – Moralez 54’
NYCFC – Ring 64’
