CHESTER, Pennsylvania – Back in regular season play in MLS following a shutout win against C.D. FAS in the CONCACAF Champions League last Tuesday, the Montreal Impact dominated most aspects of the game and pushed until the final whistle, but lost 2-1 to the Philadelphia Union Saturday night, at PPL Park.
Forward Sébastien Le Toux scored twice for the Union, while the second half substitute Maxim Tissot scored for the bleu-blanc-noir.
The Philadelphia Union scored with only 12 minutes played in the first half when Le Toux took advantage of confusion with the Impact defence to score his ninth goal of the season in an empty net.
Le Toux scored his second goal of the game in the 63rd minute when his shot from the top of the 18-yard box found space in between the Impact defenders before passing the goal line.
Following the hour of play in Chester, the three substitutions seemed to give a second life to the Impact in this game.
Behind the Philadelphia defence, close to the six-yard line, Maxim Tissot was Andrés Romero’s target on a long cross to the second post. Tissot finished the play with his left foot in the 79th minute, scoring his second goal of the season with his first touch.
“I wonder why we lost the game today. It seems like we can’t get a little break,” said head coach Frank Klopas. “We made two mistakes that cost us the game. In certain moments, we could have done better in the final third with our final pass that was a little bit off, but we controlled the game and got opportunities. We still have many games to play and we still have to be better in certain areas of our game.”
“It was one of our best games this year and I think we were the better team. It’s frustrating because we walk away with no points,” said Justin Mapp. “I’m proud of the guys effort tonight.”
“It’s a tough one to take tonight after playing a solid game like this,” said team captain Patrice Bernier. “After the first goal, we kept on pushing. We played a good second half, but we were unlucky not to tie it up.”
Striker Jack McInerney, who was playing against his former team for the first time at PPL Park, found a good opportunity in the 49th minute, but his header missed the net by only a few inches.
Then 10 minutes later, midfielder Justin Mapp fired a left-footed strike from 20 yards out, but goalkeeper Zac MacMath dove to make the save.
Academy product Anthony Jackson-Hamel, who replaced McInerney in the 67th minute, almost scored his first goal in MLS when his back heel hit the post in the 70th minute.
While defender Hassoun Camara was suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards, head coach Frank Klopas reintegrated Eric Miller into the starting lineup as right back. Gorka Larrea started the game in center midfield for the first time since June 29, while Wandrille Lefèvre was in the starting lineup as a centre back for the first time in MLS since June 11.
The team will be back in Montreal Sunday and will play its next game at Stade Saputo on Saturday, August 16 against the Chicago Fire at 6:30pm (EDT). Excellent tickets are still available through ticketmaster.ca
Lineups
MTL – GK-Troy Perkins; D-Eric Miller, Wandrille Lefèvre, Matteo Ferrari, Krzysztof Krol; M-Gorka Larrea, Felipe (Dilly Duka 67’), Patrice Bernier, Andrés Romero , Justin Mapp (Maxim Tissot 75’); F-Jack McInerney (Anthony Jackson-Hamel 67’)
Subs not used: GK-Evan Bush; D-Karl W. Ouimette; M-Issey Nakajima-Farran, Calum Mallace
PHI – GK-Zac MacMath; D-Carlos Valdes, Raymon Giddis, Ethan White, Sheanon Williams; M-Maurice Edu, Sebastien Le Toux, Vincent Nogueira (Fred 86’), Danny Cruz (Andrew Wenger 62’), Brian Carroll; F-Conor Casey (Brian Brown 72’)
Subs not used: GK-Andre Blake; D-Amobi Okugo, Fabinho; M-Michael Lahoud
Goals
PHI – Le Toux 12’
PHI – Le Toux (Wenger) 63'
MTL – Tissot (Romero) 79’
