The game’s only goal was scored early on. In the 7th minute of play, forward Eddie Johnson deflected a cross from Roberto Merino with his head. Near the far post in the six-yard box, Johnson beat goalkeeper Evan Bush to the opposite side.
“Today’s game was very positive for us as we held our own against a team headed for the MLS,” said Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. “We left the field with our heads held high. We played a good second half and we were able to create some scoring opportunities. With games like this one, we are able to find the things that we need to work on.”
“This was a first true test of training camp and we found out that we are not quite ready yet physically,” said defender Philippe Billy. “We were able to determine our playing level and realized that we have a good roster.”
“It was a very engaging matchup and we did fairly well in general,” said newcomer Kevin Hatchi, the only Impact player to remain on the pitch for the full 90 minutes. “We have some things we have to work on but we are finding our marks. We have a good sense from this first game. The first two days in Arizona have been fruitful.”
Goalkeepers Evan Bush and Bill Gaudette split the workload in front of the Montreal net. Bush, who is on a tryout in Arizona, played the first half and Gaudette played the 45 minutes of the second half.
Tryout players Filipe Da Costa and Kyle Porter, as well as Impact U-21 Academy players Kevin Cossette and Félix Cardin also took part in this first exhibition match in Arizona.
The Impact will play its second exhibition game on Saturday against Sporting Kansas City, at 3 pm (Eastern time).
HIGHLIGHTS
33rd minute – Newcomer Hassoun Camara fires a hard free kick from 35 meters out, passing just left of the Timbers’ goal.
56th minute - Camara earns a second chance to tie the game, firing a shot from 20 meters out, but the Timbers’ keeper made the stop, diving to his right.
74th minute – Following a deep ball played by Camara, forward Reda Agourram hooks the ball passed a Timbers’ defender, taking a low shot upon entering the penalty box, but once again, the opposing keeper made the save.
78th minute - Following a central cross from midfielder Luke Kreamalmeyer, Pierre-Rudolph Mayard pivots and fires a shot from about 10 meters out, but the weak attempt is easily recovered by the Timbers’ goalkeeper.
LINEUPS
MONTREAL IMPACT
GK-Evan Bush (Bill Gaudette, 45), D-Philippe Billy (Filipe Da Costa, 72), D-Nevio Pizzolitto (Hicham Aaboubou, 45), D-Kevin Hatchi, D-Kevin Cossette (Richard Pelletier, 45), M-Anthony LeGall (Luke Kreamalmeyer, 45), M-Hassoun Camara (Félix Cardin, 87), M-Antonio Ribeiro (Simon Gatti, 59), M-Leonardo Di Lorenzo (Pierre-Rudolph Mayard, 75), F-Idriss Ech Chergui (Agourram, 55), F-Ali Gerba (Kyle Porter, 63)
PORTLAND TIMBERS
GK-Adin Brown, D-Quavas Kirk, D-Mamadou Danso, D-David Horst, D-Chris Taylor (Rodney Wallace, 82), M-Sal Zizzo, M-Kalif Alhassan (James Marcelin, 77), M-Adam Moffat, M-Roberto Merino (Doug DeMartin, 45), F-Eddie Johnson (Kenny Cooper, 73), F-Jorge Perlaza (Brian Umony, 62)
GOAL
Portland: Eddie Johnson (Merino) – 7e minute
CAUTIONS
67th minute: Hicham Aaboubou
76th minute: Kevin Hatchi
PHOTOS PÉPÉ
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