MONTREAL - The Montreal Impact came from behind to defeat the Columbus Crew SC 2-1 on Sunday night, to take the first leg of the Eastern Conference semifinals aggregate goal series at Stade Saputo. Patrice Bernier and Johan Venegas scored in the win.
"I am extremely pleased with our performance after playing three tough games in a week and we were able to find a way to win," said Impact head coach Mauro Biello. "Now, they have to beat us there and we’ll go to Columbus ready for that game. We could have easily struggled after they scored the first goal, but we were able to lift our game and improve as the match went on."
The road team found the game’s opening goal on a lucky bounce. After a long ball was played into the box following a short free kick, the attempted clearance unfortunately fell to Federico Higuain, who made no mistake with the free shot in the 33rd minute.
The Impact found the equalizer off of a corner kick when Marco Donadel hit Patrice Bernier near the six yard box. The Impact captain headed home his second of the playoffs in the 37th minute.
"There weren’t a ton of chances in this game," said Bernier. "The games are all tight in the playoffs and the return leg will be the same. We are pleased with our performance, but it’s not over. We still have work to do, but collectively we are strong right now."
Second half substitute Johan Venegas broke the deadlock in the 77th minute when he stole the ball off of a Columbus defender. The Costa Rican then dribbled alone towards goal, placing his shot towards the opposite corner.
"We started off little flat both mentally and physically and it took us a little bit of time to get going after two emotional games earlier in the week," said goalkeeper Evan Bush. "But to fight back and get the result you need and go to Columbus with the advantage is something positive for us and we are happy with that."
The first half was tightly contested, with both teams exchanging possession and looking to break through in the offensive third. IMFC did generate a couple of chances over 45 minutes, but the best two missed low and wide; first from Piatti right of goal in the 25th minute and the second from Drogba to the opposite side 10 minutes later.
The second half was more of a midfield battle, with the home side finding the better of the limited scoring chances, including a short angle shot by Piatti that was stopped by Crew SC keeper Steve Clark on the hour mark.
The second leg of the semifinal series is set for the next Sunday, November 8 at MAPFRE Stadium, with timing and broadcast information to be released shortly.
LINEUPS
MTL – GK-Evan Bush; D-Donny Toia, Laurent Ciman, Victor Cabrera, Ambroise Oyongo; M-Nigel Reo-Coker (Calum Mallace 67’), Marco Donadel, Dominic Oduro (Dilly Duka 61’), Ignacio Piatti, Patrice Bernier (Johan Venegas 73'); F-Didier Drogba
Subs not used: GK-Eric Kronberg; D-Hassoun Camara, Wandrille Lefèvre; M-Kyle Bekker
CLB – GK-Steve Clark; D-Gaston Sauro, Harrison Afful, Michael Parkhurst, Waylon Francis; M-Ethan Finlay (Cedrick 67’), Federico Higuain, Justin Meram, Tony Tchani (Kevan George 82’), Will Trapp; F-Kei Kamara
Subs not used: GK-Brad Stuver; D-Chris Klute, Tyson Wahl; M-Hector Jimenez; F-Jack McInerney
GOALS
CLB – Higuain 33’
MTL – Bernier (Donadel) 37’
MTL – Venegas 77’
CAUTIONS
MTL – Cabrera 45+2’
MTL – Oyongo 51’
CLB – Sauro 52’
MTL – Drogba 87’
CLB – Afful 90+3’
