Three wins out of five for the Impact at home in 2019
MONTREAL – The Montreal Impact defeated Real Salt Lake 2-1, Wednesday night at Stade Saputo. Omar Browne opened the scoring in first-half stoppage time, before Saphir Taïder scored the game-winning goal from the penalty spot in the 68th minute.
“We were in the thick of things for the entire game and a little more consistent than usual,” said Impact head coach Rémi Garde. “We were a little more solid than usual as well during their better moments. I would’ve liked it if we stayed a little more solid, but throughout the game, the desire I saw in my players was very satisfying.”
The victory is Montreal’s third in five games at Stade Saputo, placing them third in the Eastern Conference standings.
All Montreal in the opening minutes
The Impact applied pressure early and was inches away from opening the scoring in the second minute. A nicely worked passing play allowed Bacary Sagna to pierce into the box from the right side, crossing for Saphir Taïder, but the Algerian’s effort hit the crossbar.
A minute later, Montreal was at it again, this time from a set piece to the right of goalkeeper Nick Rimando’s box. Taïder was involved again, this time crossing for centre-back Rudy Camacho, but his header was blocked by Rimando.
Goalkeeper Evan Bush made his first save in the 20th minute, when Jefferson Savarino found some space on the right flank, but his shot was easily stopped by the American goalkeeper, who was making a 50th consecutive start with the Impact.
The hosts created another opportunity in the 34th minute on the run of play. Midfielder Omar Browne, attacking with speed, passed it off to Sagna on the right side, who immediately gave it back to Browne in the box, but his shot missed just wide.
Montreal’s continued pressure finally paid off in first-half stoppage time. Sagna, again on the right side, passed near the goal line for Shamit Shome. The Canadian midfielder looked up and found Browne in the box, who slotted it past Rimando to give the home side the lead.
“I think it was a good way to bounce back from the past three games, where we didn’t manage the results we wanted,” said Impact midfielder Shamit Shome. “It’s a good way to start this three-game home stand. We’re excited with what we’ve done, and we want to build on it. We’re happy with our performance. Now, we want to push this momentum to Saturday.”
More pressure after the break
Striker Maxi Urruti created a pair of chances upon returning from the locker room. After the Argentine neatly turned near midfield, leaving two defenders behind him, he ran towards the box on the break, passing to his left for Mathieu Choinière, but his shot from close range was blocked.
Two minutes later, Urruti turned again, creating space in the final third but opting for a shot this time instead, which went just over the crossbar.
The Impact finally doubled its lead in the 68th minute. Browne, in possession on the right side, managed to find a streaking Sagna in the box. The French defender was taken down, prompting the referee to point to the spot, and Taïder stepped up to beat Rimando, sending the MLS veteran the wrong way to double Montreal’s lead.
It was the Algerian international’s team-leading fifth goal of the season.
The visitors did manage to get one back in the 84th minute, when a cross into the box bounced off two players before ending at Sam Johnson’s feet, who easily tucked it in, putting an end to Bush’s shutout streak at home at 225 minutes.
“I thought our start was great,” said goalkeeper Evan Bush. “We’ve started well in the past too, but then we get a little deflated when we don’t put away our chances. I think today we kept going. Once we got the second, we took our foot off the gas a little and we almost paid for it. But all in all, it was a good game and we’re excited about it, but we also know we have another important game on Saturday.”
Upcoming games
The Impact hosts Orlando City SC on Saturday, June 1, at 5pm (TICKETS – TVA Sports, TSN, 98.5, TSN 690), a game before which the UEFA Champions League final, featuring Liverpool against Tottenham, will be broadcast at the stadium. The Impact will then face the Seattle Sounders FC on Wednesday, June 5, at 7:30pm (TICKETS – TVA Sports, TSN, 98.5, TSN 690).
LINE-UPS
MTL – GK-Evan Bush; D-Bacary Sagna, Rudy Camacho, Jukka Raitala, Daniel Lovitz; M-Samuel Piette, Saphir Taïder, Shamit Shome; F-Mathieu Choinière (Ken Krolicki 78’), Maximiliano Urruti (Zakaria Diallo 90’+4’), Omar Browne (Zachary Brault-Guillard 72’)
Subs not used – Clément Diop, Micheal Azira, Harry Novillo, Anthony Jackson-Hamel
RSL – GK-Nick Rimando; D-Brooks Lennon, Donny Toia (Aaron Herrera 86’), Erik Holt, Justen Glad; M-Damir Kreilach, Jefferson Savarino, Joao Plata (Sebastián Saucedo 69’), Justin Portillo, Sam Johnson; F-Albert Rusnák (Corey Baird 57’)
Subs not used – Andrew Putna, Nedum Onuoha, Everton Luiz, Nick Besler
GOALS
MTL – Browne (Shome, Sagna) 45’+2’
MTL – Taïder (PEN) 68’
RSL – Johnson (Kreilach) 84’
CAUTIONS
MTL – Piette 36’
RSL – Kreilach 59’
RSL – Portillo 60’
MTL – Sagna 83’
