Piatti and Jackson-Hamel record braces, Donadel also scores for Montreal
TORONTO, Ontario – The Montreal Impact will return from Toronto with three points, as the team beat Toronto FC 5-3 at BMO Field on Wednesday night, inflicting the hosts with their first home loss of the season.
The Bleu-blanc-noir scored the three quickest goals in its MLS history in the first half, as Nacho Piatti, twice, and Marco Donadel found the back of the net. Anthony Jackson-Hamel, right after the break, added a brace. The Reds replied with a Tosaint Ricketts headed brace and benefited from an own goal.
It was a second win for the Montreal squad in 15 games in all competitions at BMO Field since the club entered MLS, as well as being a record for the most away goals scored in a game since the inaugural season, back in 2012.
“It’s a great win against our rival. We showed how good we can play against a very good team,” said Impact head coach Mauro Biello. “The players executed well, we saw their qualities. We were good in possession and our attacking players finished their actions. We have five games to play, we want to carry on after this nice win tonight.”
Three quick goals for Impact
After only 10 minutes, Daniel Lovitz, from the left, had time and space to look up and send a cross to the near post in direction of Nacho Piatti, but Eriq Zavaleta intercepted and played it back to his goalkeeper. Bono, under pressure by Montreal’s number 10, cleared the ball but hit the Argentinean’s back. The rebound trickled into the goal.
Two minutes later, the Bleu-blanc-noir once again benefited from Piatti’s pressing, this time on Zavaleta. The winger recovered the ball and passed it to Donadel. The Italian midfielder, unopposed in the middle of the pitch, took a touch and unleashed a powerful shot right in the top left corner.
In the 24th minute, the Impact added a third goal. Laurent Ciman, in his own box, intercepted Toronto’s attacking move. Blerim Dzemaili took over and led a counter. After the half-way line, he passed for Jackson-Hamel, who played it for Piatti, on the left. The latter cut inside and curled a right-footed effort into the far post. This goal was the Bleu-blanc-noir’s 100th away goal in MLS.
Before the end of the first half, the Torontonians replied. Jonathan Osorio, on the right flank, crossed the ball to the near post area. The ball was deflected by an unlucky defender in his own goal.
Relentless rhythm in second half
After the break, the two teams continued to offer a show fit for this Montreal-Toronto rivalry. Jackson-Hamel, in the 47th minute, took advantage of an imprecise back pass by Steven Beitashour to score his team’s fourth goal.
In the 51st minute, the Impact once again took over with its counter-attack. Ciman, once again, won a duel and Donadel launched a quick move forward. Piatti gave the ball to Dzemaili, who put Jackson-Hamel through on goal. The striker from Quebec City beat Bono with the outside of his left boot to score his 9th goal of the season.
“It’s important to score goals because it gives you confidence, especially against one of the better teams in the league,” added Jackson-Hamel. “We are still battling to make the playoffs, and regardless of the team we face or its record, we will give it all on the field to make it.”
If Montreal had a couple more chances to add to the score line, it was Toronto FC who finished two opportunities, Tosaint Ricketts finding the back of the net twice within three minutes with headed efforts to bring his team within two.
The Reds could have added extra pressure on their opponents at the end of the game, offering Ben Spencer opportunities in the air, but the American did not steer his shots towards goal. Toronto FC thus recorded a first loss since July 1, ending a six-game winning streak.
Upcoming games
The Montreal Impact will enter the Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the first time for a crucial meeting with Atlanta United, on Sunday, September 24, at 5pm (TVA Sports, FOX, 98,5fm, TSN Radio 690), before returning to Stade Saputo for David Villa’s and New York City FC’s visit, on Wednesday, September 27, at 7:30pm (TVA Sports, TSN, 985sports.ca, CJAD 800 – TICKETS).
LINEUPS
MTL – GK-Evan Bush; D-Hassoun Camara (Chris Duvall 66’), Victor Cabrera, Laurent Ciman, Deian Boldor, Dan Lovitz; M-Samuel Piette, Marco Donadel (Hernan Bernardello 55’), Blerim Dzemaili; F-Ignacio Piatti, Anthony Jackson-Hamel (Dominic Oduro 76’)
Subs not used – Maxime Crépeau, Andrés Romero, Ballou Tabla, Patrice Bernier
TOR – GK-Alex Bono; D-Chris Mavinga (Raheem Edwards 69’), Drew Moor, Eriq Zavaleta (Ben Spencer 32’), Justin Morrow, Steven Beitashour; M-Armando Cooper, Marco Delgado (Nicolas Hasler 56’), Michael Bradley; F-Jonathan Osorio, Tosaint Ricketts
Subs not used – Clint Irwin, Jay Chapman, Victor Vazquez, Jordan Hamilton
GOALS
MTL – Piatti 10’
MTL – Donadel (Piatti) 12’
MTL – Piatti (Jackson-Hamel) 24’
TOR – Boldor (BCSC) 42’
MTL – Jackson-Hamel 47’
MTL – Jackson-Hamel (Dzemaili) 51’
TOR – Ricketts (Edwards) 77’
TOR – Ricketts (Cooper) 79’
