MONTREAL - The Montreal Impact became the first Canadian team to win a playoff game in Major League Soccer Thursday night, defeating Toronto FC 3-0 at Stade Saputo and earned a berth in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Patrice Bernier, Nacho Piatti and Didier Drogba scored in the historic victory.
“We started tonight’s game with a huge hunger to play our game and win,” said Impact head coach Mauro Biello. “After we scored the first goal, we took control of the game. We were able to neutralize Bradley and Cheyrou. That gave us quality going forward and we were able to give them problems after that.”
The Montreal Impact opened the scoring in dramatic fashion, when local boy and team captain Patrice Bernier scored the club’s first ever playoff marker in the 19th minute. Nacho Piatti played a beautiful through ball past his defender and onto the path of the streaking captain, who placed it far corner.
“This is one of the most satisfying games for me in an Impact uniform,” said Patrice Bernier. “Scoring the first goal and helping give the team some momentum in a game like this, you can’t ask for anything more. When we score the first goal, we have had a lot of success this year.”
In the 34th minute, Piatti found his own marker when he intercepted a pass in front of goal, leaned on his defender, and curled one low, far post past goalkeeper Chris Konopka.
IMFC found a third just five minutes later to seal the deal. This time, Bernier, who was the recipient of a good run and pass by Dilly Duka, pounced on his own rebound and threaded a horizontal ball through the box onto the foot of Didier Drogba, who one-timed it into the open net.
“We played a great team game tonight. From the back four, to the middle and the top,” said Nigel Reo-Coker. “We made it difficult for them to get balls high by playing a high tempo.”
The Bleu-blanc-noir came out of the gates full speed on Thursday night, dominating the Reds in the first half in the offensive third with 10 shots, while being solid in their own end, limiting TFC to two attempts at goal.
Piatti was all over the field during the first 45 minutes, turning defenders inside out and creating numerous scoring opportunities, with one of his best coming in the 13th minute. Drogba laid the ball off for Piatti near the corner of the box, but the Argentine’s curler just missed wide, far post.
Although things evened up somewhat in the second half in terms of shots, IMFC continued to be solid on the back end, finding opportunities on the counter attack. Both Nacho and Drogba exchanged good looks at goal during the second frame, but the Ivorian’s sailed over the bar, while the Argentine’s hit the post.
With the win, the Impact takes on the Columbus Crew SC in the semifinals, with the first leg set for this Sunday at Stade Saputo. The second leg will then be in Columbus on Sunday, November 8, with kick off times yet to be determined.
LINEUPS
MTL – GK-Evan Bush; D-Donny Toia, Laurent Ciman, Victor Cabrera, Ambroise Oyongo; M-Nigel Reo-Coker (Calum Mallace 71’), Marco Donadel, Dilly Duka ((Dominic Oduro 84’), Ignacio Piatti, Patrice Bernier (Kyle Bekker 77’); F-Didier Drogba
Subs not used: GK-Eric Kronberg; D-Hassoun Camara, Wandrille Lefèvre; M-Johan Venegas
TOR – GK-Chris Konopka; D-Jackson, Josh Williams, Ahmed Kantari (Eriq Zavaleta 46’), Justin Morrow; M-Robbie Findley (Herculez Gomez 72’), Michael Bradley, Benoit Cheyrou, Jonathan Osorio (Marco Delgado 70’); F-Sebastian Giovinco, Jozy Altidore
Subs not used: GK-Joe Bendik; D-Ashtone Morgan; M-Collen Warner; F-Luke Moore
GOALS
MTL – Bernier (Piatti) 18’
MTL – Piatti 33’
MTL – Drogba (Bernier) 39’
CAUTION
TOR – Delgado 87’
