HOUSTON, Texas – The Montreal Impact ended a series of 10 games in 36 days with a 3-0 loss (halftime 1-0) against the Houston Dynamo, Saturday, at BBVA Compass Stadium, in Houston.
The Dynamo remains undefeated at home in 10 games this season (7-0-3). The club’s overall unbeaten streak at home was extended to 18 games.
The Dynamo opened the scoring in the 7th minute when forward Macoumba Kandji scored his second goal of the season, beating Ricketts with a shot from inside the six yard box that deflected off of defender Zarek Valentin.
The home side then scored the insurance goal in the 84th minute off of a Brad Davis corner kick. Defender Bobby Boswell headed the ball from the six yard box into the far corner.
Kandji then scored his second goal of the game as he broke in alone down the left flank. His shot, from just inside the box, beat Ricketts high as he came out sliding to challenge the shot.
The Impact started the game with three changes to the starting lineup. Midfielders Justin Mapp and Patrice Bernier, as well as defender Jeb Brovsky, were not in the starting lineup. Brovsky, who played the last 13 games, did not play due to a thigh injury.
Quebec-born defender Karl W. Ouimette, developed by the club’s Academy, played in his first ever career MLS game, replacing defender Zarek Valentin, who left the game in the 23rd minute as a result of an injury to his left ankle.
For the first time in MLS history, three Quebec born players were on the field at the same time: Ouimette and Bernier for the Impact and Andre Hainault for the Dynamo.
Scoring chances
In the second minute, off of a Marco Di Vaio corner kick, midfielder Lamar Neagle's header from near the six yard box deflected off of the post, far side.
While the score was still 1-0, defender Shavar Thomas saved a goal in the 64th minute when he timed his sliding tackle perfectly just as Kandji was about to put another one into an empty net. Thomas surpassed the 15,000 minutes played mark in MLS in the 31st minute.
In the 79th minute, following a low cross from Davy Arnaud towards the second post, Sanna Nyassi missed on a good scoring opportunity when his low, first time shot went just wide left of the goal.
In the 83rd minute, Brad Davis’ shot from the 18-yard line was deflected over the bar by Ricketts with his hand.
In the 90th minute, the Dynamo goalkeeper also made a key save diving to stop the header of Hassoun Camara following a free kick taken by Justin Mapp.
Post-game comments
“We played against a good team in a really tough place to play,” said Impact head coach Jesse Marsch. “It hurts giving up the first goal because we were the better team in the first six minutes. The way we pushed the game in the second half up until their second goal was very good and showed a lot of character. I think we are a bit unlucky to come out of this game without a point.”
"At the moment we are not consistent," added Thomas. "In most of the games that we’ve lost, we were in it for 80-85 minutes and then we make a mistake or give up a bad goal. We’re going to pull through. We’re learning very quickly and in the end, it will come for us."
“I’ve waited for this moment for a long time,” added defender Karl W. Ouimette. “I gave everything on the field today. I think I was able to defend well and to control the ball. I was able to quickly adjust to my position.”
Next game
The Impact returns home to take on Olympique Lyonnais in an international matchup this Tuesday at Stade Saputo, at 7:30pm (ET). Tickets for that game are $25 or less and are available through the Admission Network or the Impact ticket offices. Hot dogs will be available for only $1 from 6 to 7:30pm
Meanwhile, Olympique Lyonnais will hold a free public practice at Stade Saputo, from 6 to 7pm. The stadium doors will open at 5pm.
Highlights: HOU 3, MTL 0
Lineups
MTL: GK– Donovan Ricketts; D – Dennis Iapichino, Shavar Thomas, Hassoun Camara, Zarek Valentin (Karl W. Ouimette 26’); M – Sanna Nyassi, Felipe, Collen Warner, Lamar Neagle (Justin Mapp 74’) F – Davy Arnaud, Marco Di Vaio (Patrice Bernier 61’)
Subs not used: GK – Evan Bush; D – Josh Gardner; M – Sinisa Ubiparipovic, F – Eduardo Sebrango
HOU: GK - Hall; D-Hainault, Boswell, Taylor, Ashe; M-Creavalle, Camargo (Davis 68’), Garcia; F-Carr (Watson 58’), Bruin (Ching 82’), Kandji
Subs not used: Deric, Ownby, Sturgis, Dixon,
GOALS:
HOU – Kandji (Bruin, Carr) 7’
HOU – Boswell (Davis) 84’
HOU – Kandji (Davis) 89’
CAUTIONS :
MTL – Shavar Thomas 67’
MTL - Dennis Iapichino 74’
