Montreal scored fastest goal in its MLS history at Stade Saputo
MONTRÉAL – The Montreal Impact suffered a 3-2 loss, Saturday night at Stade Saputo, at the hands of Minnesota United FC. After both teams exchanged a pair of goals each in the first 45 minutes, forward Mason Toye was able to find the back of the net two minutes into the second half, his second of the game, allowing Minnesota to hold on and take the three points. The loss puts an end to a two-game winning streak at Stade Saputo for Rémi Garde’s men.
“We made things hard on ourselves defensively,” said Impact head coach Rémi Garde. “We weren’t good enough on the three goals conceded. The rest of the time, they didn’t really put us in danger, but it’s hard to win when we concede three goals at home. Regarding the refereeing, there were some curious decisions made tonight.”
Four goals in the first half
The Impact wasted no time getting on the board, finding the back of the net after just 27 seconds played, the fastest goal ever scored at Stade Saputo in MLS. Centre-back Zakaria Diallo sent a calculated ball for Anthony Jackson-Hamel in behind the defense. The homegrown striker was able to control it, nutmeg his man, and tuck it into the bottom left corner.
The visitors were able to answer minutes later, in the ninth minute, when midfielder Kevin Molino swung in a perfect ball for Mason Toye in the box. Toye was able to redirect a shot past Evan Bush, bringing the score level.
Four minutes later, in the 13th minute, the home side made another opportunity count, this time off a corner. After midfielder Saphir Taïder sent a cross into the box, centre-back Rudy Camacho was the first on it, putting it past goalkeeper Vito Mannone for his first Impact goal.
Taïder was able to create another opportunity in the 31st minute following a nice spell of Montreal possession, taking a left-footed shot from outside the box that was punched away by Mannone.
But Minnesota equalized again at the cusp of half-time, this time from the spot, after the referee judged that Bush had fouled Ethan Finlay in the box. Despite consulting video review, the decision stood and Finlay stepped up to take the shot, beating Bush and tying the game again.
“We gave them opportunities to get back into the game,” said forward Anthony Jackson-Hamel. “We took the lead twice and they came back twice. In the end, we shouldn’t have given them those chances. When we score two goals at home, we’re supposed to win, but we gave them too many opportunities.”
Quick strike from the visitors
Returning from the locker rooms, it was the visitors who made a quick opportunity count this time, in the 47th minute. A cross into the box from Molino was blocked by a Montreal defender, although the ball deflected directly to Toye, alone in front of Bush. He was able to put a well-placed shot past the Montreal goalkeeper to give Minnesota their first lead of the game.
Midfielder Omar Browne made his presence felt right away after coming on in the second half, dribbling past his man on the right and releasing a left-footed shot in the 64th minute, forcing a diving save from the opposing goalkeeper.
Browne created another chance in the 75th minute, laying it off neatly in front of the box for substitute Harry Novillo, but his shot was blocked by Mannone.
“The referee didn’t help, but we didn’t help ourselves either,” said centre-back Rudy Camacho. “We could’ve avoided certain situations. We needed to be more rigorous. We especially can’t concede three goals at home. We came back after the break with good intentions, but they managed to score right away.”
Upcoming games
The Impact will play the first leg of the 2019 Canadian Championship quarterfinals against York 9 FC on Wednesday, July 10, at 7:30pm at York Lions Stadium (OneSoccer). They will then return home to take on Toronto FC in a rivalry game on Saturday, July 13, at 7:30pm at Stade Saputo (TICKETS – TVA Sports, TSN, 98.5, TSN 690).
LINE-UPS
MTL – GK-Evan Bush; D-Bacary Sagna, Víctor Cabrera, Zakaria Diallo (Omar Browne 57’), Rudy Camacho, Jukka Raitala; M-Shamit Shome, Samuel Piette; F- Mathieu Choinière (Harry Novillo 61‘), Anthony Jackson-Hamel (Maximiliano Urruti 77’), Saphir Taïder
Subs not used – Clément Diop, Zachary Brault-Guillard, Daniel Kinumbe, Ken Krolicki
MIN – GK-Vito Mannone; D-Brent Kallman, Chase Gasper, Eric Miller, Michael Boxall; M-Collin Martin (Hassani Dotson 70’), Ethan Finlay (Miguel Ibarra 70’), Kevin Molino, Lawrence Olum, Rasmus Schüller; F-Mason Toye (Angelo Rodríguez 82’)
Subs not used – Dayne St. Clair, Carter Manley, Wyatt Omsberg, Jan Gregus
GOALS
MTL – Jackson-Hamel (Diallo) 1’
MIN – Toye (Molino) 9’
MTL – Camacho (Taïder) 13’
MIN – Finlay (PEN) 45’+2’
MIN – Toye (Molino) 47’
CAUTION
MTL – Bush 45’+1’
