MEXICO CITY, Mexico – The Montreal Impact defeated Mexican side Cruz Azul 1-0 on Tuesday afternoon, thanks to a Dominic Oduro goal, in its second preparatory matchup with the Primera leading club, at the Cruz Azul training centre.
The Impact faced a Cruz Azul lineup with players from the first team, reserves and U20.
“We are progressing very well, we showed that today,” said defender Bakary Soumare. “It was a satisfying performance as we came here and did what we came to do and get a win. The chemistry and fitness is building.”
“It’s a different team than it was last year,” added head coach Frank Klopas. “We are trying different things and we are using game’s like today to do everything we can to be ready for the Pachuca game.”
Forward Dominic Oduro ran onto the end of a nice through ball by Dilly Duka in the game’s first 10 minutes and slotted home the only goal of the game.
Impact goalkeeper Evan Bush faced two penalty shots in this one, stopping the first with a spectacular dive to his left in the first half, while the second went off the post in the second half.
Midfielder Justin Mapp saw his second half shot hit the post as well when he cut to the middle and fired a low one from the half circle.
The Impact will face third division club FC Cuautla Wednesday at 11:30am (ET) as it continues its training camp in Mexico in preparation for the first game of the Champions League aggregate goal series versus Pachuca on February 24 at 10pm (TVA Sports).
The second leg of the quarterfinals will be played on March 3 at 8pm at Olympic Stadium (tickets: www.marquonslhistoire.com).
