Montreal will still be in the race on Decision Day
Was it a sign of destiny? The Impact beat its Toronto FC rival 2-0 at Stade Saputo Sunday afternoon. While Montreal’s players began saluting and thanking supporters for their backing throughout the entire season, the Columbus Crew SC was conceding a second penalty in the same game in Orlando, eventually losing 2-1 against one of the worst teams in MLS. It’s the ideal result for Montreal, who can still qualify for the playoffs on Decision Day, next Sunday at 4:30pm, by beating the New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium (TVA Sports, TSN, 98,5fm, TSN Radio 690). Members will be able to attend this game for free; the Impact will pay your ticket, all you need to do is get there.
Coming back to the Canadian Classique – for lack of a better name – and to the Impact’s second win against TFC this year, it was tense, difficult, but deserved when it was all said and done. Montreal was able to limit Sebastian Giovinco’s influence, and when there was danger, it was quickly quelled: we’re especially thinking of Evan Bush, who made a few complicated saves, and of Bacary Sagna, whose last-second tackle kept the game scoreless midway through the second half. Here are your advanced stats.
Nacho Piatti: 2 goals, 4 shots, all on target, 35 successful passes, including 17 in the final third, for an 83% success rate, 1 chance created, 4 dribbles completed, 10 duels won, 3 tackles won, 9 recoveries.
Saphir Taïder: 1 shot on target, 53 successful passes, including 33 in the final third, for an 84% success rate, 1 chance created, 5 successful crosses, 1 duel won, 1 interception, 7 recoveries.
Bacary Sagna: 54 successful passes, including 26 in the final third, for an 83% success rate, 1 chance created, 7 duels won, 4 tackles won, 1 aerial duel won, 1 interception, 6 recoveries.
Evan Bush: 2nd consecutive clean sheet, 10 clean sheets this season - club record in MLS, 23 successful passes for an 82% success rate, 4 saves, 130 saves this season – 1st in MLS, club record.
