Uruguayan nets his first goal in win against SKC
Just a few hours after Uruguay beat Portugal in the World Cup to qualify for the quarterfinals, Uruguayan Alejandro Silva, featuring in his 15th game for the Bleu-blanc-noir, put in one of his better performances yet in an Impact uniform, and he was rewarded as well, netting his first goal with his new club. His insurance marker would make it 2-0, and give the Impact its third straight win, and fourth in five games.
Just like the team, it seems things are looking up for Silva as of late.
“He’s a player with a lot of quality, and he’s only getting better, just like the team,” said midfielder Saphir Taïder. “It’s a true team spirit that’s being built and that’s gaining in confidence, and that trickles down to the individuals on the team as well.”
Silva scored from the spot in the 70th minute after defender Daniel Lovitz was fouled in box. Following a short conversation with the usual penalty-taker, Nacho Piatti, Silva stepped up with an interesting run up to the ball, sending goalkeeper Tim Melia the wrong way.
“Alejandro asked if he can take it, and I told him it was no problem,” said midfielder Nacho Piatti. “He scored, so obviously we’re happy. He used to take a lot of penalties in Argentina, and he was always very good, so I knew that he would take a nice shot.”
Goalkeeper Evan Bush was quick to comment on the penalty after the match and didn’t hesitate throwing jabs at both his teammates involved in the play.
“I think maybe because Uruguay won, and Nacho felt he couldn’t take it because of Argentina’s result? I don’t know what the case was today,” joked Bush. “I’ve seen Silva do that penalty, where he does the hop, a bunch of times in training, and I always tell myself there’s no way he does this in a game.”
Other than scoring the all-important second goal, Silva spared no effort defensively, managing seven recoveries, with six of them coming on the Impact’s side of the pitch.
“He’s really turned the corner defensively,” added Bush. “I think he’s really adding a lot in the back, and that really helps. It takes a little pressure off of someone like Samuel [Piette] and the centre-backs.”
“We saw that he’s capable of elevating his level of play compared to what we saw since the beginning of the season,” said head coach Rémi Garde. “It isn’t easy to adapt to the league, to the language, and to a new country. I’m happy for him, because he’s someone who gives it all in training, and tonight he was rewarded.”
The Impact will play its next game on Saturday when it hosts the Colorado Rapids at Stade Saputo (TICKETS – TVA Sports, 98,5fm, TSN Radio 690). Sitting just two points out a playoff spot, the Bleu-blanc-noir will be looking for a fourth straight win, while looking to prolong its sequence of minutes without allowing a goal, now at 342.
