After losing the first two matchups of the season, the Montreal Impact defeated New York City FC 3-2 on Saturday afternoon at Yankee Stadium. Designated player Ignacio Piatti scored a brace, while Dominic Oduro found the game’s opening marker.
“It was a very good team performance,” said head coach Frank Klopas. “We are in a good moment right now. Congratulations to the group for their performance today. We came here and beat a really good team. We have to enjoy this moment, but we have a lot of games coming up and an opportunity to win those games we have in hand.”
The Impact scored early when striker Dominic Oduro scored his fifth of the season in the 5th minute. The Ghanaian accepted a long ball from defender Laurent Ciman in behind the New York defence and then took a touch to beat goalkeeper Josh Saunders between his legs before tapping it home into an empty net.
“The key for us today was to keep the ball and be patient, waiting for our openings,” said Oduro. “On my goal, Ciman’s ball over the top to me was unbelievable. I just had to finish it.”
Nacho Piatti continued his good form as of late, doubling his side’s lead in the 32nd minute. Fellow Argentine Andrés Romero, posted near centre field, also provided a long ball behind NYC’s defence. Piatti then lobbed the ball over Saunders to register his seventh goal of the season.
The Bleu-blanc-noir dominated the first half in shots 9-2, including six on frame.
In the second half, striker David Villa reduced the gap in the 68th minute when the referee awarded a highly debatable penalty on a defensive play by Ambroise Oyongo in the box. The Spaniard beat Bush with a low shot to the right of the goalkeeper.
In the 84th minute, the referee pointed again to the spot after Piatti was taken down in the box. The DP scored his second goal of the game, beating Saunders to his left. Piatti has now tallied five goals and an assist in his last six MLS games.
A minute later, midfielder Thomas McNamara scored New York’s second goal, following a beautiful passing sequence between Angelino and David Villa.
With a few minutes left to play, Bush preserved the lead for IMFC by deflecting a David Villa shot over the bar with the tips of his fingers.
“We got a lot of chances on the break and missed some opportunities, but we were strong enough to hold on and win the game,” said Bush. “We played well today and got the three points we needed.”
Midfielder Eric Alexander returned to action in this one, entering in the 79th minute, after being sidelined for a few weeks due to a hip injury. Marco Donadel will serve an automatic one game suspension, next Wednesday against the Red Bulls, after having received his eighth yellow card of the season.
The Impact will play its next game at 8pm this Wednesday night, August 5, at Stade Saputo, against the New York Red Bulls. (tickets: ticketmaster.ca)
LINEUPS
MTL – GK-Evan Bush; D-Ambroise Oyongo, Laurent Ciman, Victor Cabrera, Donny Toia; M-Calum Mallace (Nigel Reo-Coker 69’) , Marco Donadel, Dilly Duka (Eric Alexander 79’), Ignacio Piatti, Andrés Romero (Maxim Tissot 86’); F-Dominic Oduro
Unused subs: GK-Eric Kronberg; D-Wandrille Lefèvre, M-Patrice Bernier; F-Jack McInerney
NYC – GK-Josh Saunders; D-Andoni Iraola, Angelino, Jason Hernandez, Jefferson Mena; M-Andrea Pirlo, Andrew Jacobson (Frank Lampard 69’), Javier Calle (Mix Diskerud 59’), Ned Grabavoy (Kwadwo Poku 59’), Thomas McNamara; F-David Villa
Unused subs: GK-Eirik Johanson; D-Shay Facey, RJ Allen; F-Patrick Mullins
GOALS
MTL – Oduro (Ciman) 5’
MTL – Piatti (Romero) 32’
NYC – Villa (PK) 68’
MTL – Piatti (PK) 84’
NYC – McNamara (Angelino, Villa) 85’
CAUTIONS
NYC – Calle 22’
NYC – Mena 43’
MTL – Donadel 45+1’
NYC – Hernandez 53’
MTL – Romero 75’
