A goal from defender Laurent Ciman, at the 88th minute, gave the Montreal Impact a 1-0 win, Saturday night at Stade Saputo. With the win, the Bleu-blanc-noir jumped to sixth place in the Eastern Conference, the last spot to get into the MLS playoffs.
After playing a brilliant game defensively, Ciman rocked the stadium in the last moments of the game when he redirected with his head a free kick from Marco Donadel, beating former Impact goalkeeper Troy Perkins.
“I am very happy with the result tonight, said Ciman. “I’ve worked hard since coming here and I want to keep contributing. I feel the support of the fans and I appreciate them having my back. I want to stay consistent and help the team.”
The Impact ended the game with 61% in ball possession and dominated 14-2 in shots at goal. The team improved its home record to 6-2-1 and shut out the opponent for a fourth game this year.
“The whole team had pretty much a very good game,” said head coach Frank Klopas. “In the end if we didn’t get the three points tonight, it would’ve been difficult to accept. In the final third I think we could have been a little bit quicker with our movement and we could have moved the ball around a little bit quicker.”
IMFC had its best chance of the half at the 21st minute when striker Dominic Oduro broke in alone on the left flank, but his low shot was stopped by Perkins with his hand.
Then, at the 39th minute, midfielder Dilly Duka took a low shot, from the left flank, rolling through the box before missing the second post by a few inches. Duka came close again at the 68th minute, but his shot went wide to the left of the goal.
Impact Designated Player Ignacio Piatti had a great opportunity to score the first goal of the game at the 81st minute. After dribbling and beating an opponent in the box, Piatti took a left-footed shot that hit the crossbar.
The Impact will play its next game against New York City FC, Saturday August 1 at 2pm at Yankee Stadium, while Stade Saputo will host the Trophée des Champions, featuring Paris Saint-Germain against Olympique Lyonnais, that same day at 3pm.
LINEUPS
MTL – GK-Evan Bush; D-Ambroise Oyongo, Laurent Ciman, Victor Cabrera, Donny Toia; M-Calum Mallace (Patrice Bernier 88’), Marco Donadel, Dilly Duka (Jack McInerney 71’), Ignacio Piatti, Andrés Romero (Maxim Tissot 78’); F-Dominic Oduro
Subs not used: GK-Eric Kronberg; D-Wandrille Lefèvre; M-Nigel Reo-Coker; F-Anthony Jackson-Hamel
SEA – GK-Troy Perkins; D-Tyrone Mears, Chad Marschall, Zach Scott, Leonardo Gonzalez (Dylan Remick 73’); M-Andy Rose, Osvaldo Alonso, Erik Friberg (Gonzalo Pineda 78’); F-Cristian Roldan, Lamar Neagle, Chad Barrett (Darwin Jones 68’)
Subs not used: GK-Charlie Lyon; D-Jimmy Ockford; M-Thomas, Michael Zira
GOAL
MTL – Ciman (Donadel) 88’
CAUTIONS
SEA – Pineda 84’
MTL – Donadel 90’
MTL – McInerney 90+3
