Argentine earns Team of the Week credentials after dominant performance
Saturday against the Revolution, in the Impact’s second game of the season at Stade Saputo, the hosts triumphed in an exciting and energetic 4-2 win. And more than ever, it was signed by the Bleu-blanc-noir’s silent leader, Nacho Piatti. The Argentine sensation turned into an MLS version of Mesut Özil, serving his teammates three assists on a plate. As if that wasn’t enough, he would go on to slot the Impact’s fourth goal, putting the game officially out of reach.
It’s hard to measure how pivotal the 33-year old midfielder has been since he joined the Bleu-blanc-noir back in the middle of the 2014 season. In Saturday’s game, he reached a few milestones; Piatti passed Patrice Bernier in the assist column in the club’s MLS history with 27. He recently passed the fifty-goal mark in the game against LAFC and sits first in club history in MLS with 52 goals. To top it all off, this was also Nacho’s 100th game in MLS.
“Those are just Nacho’s standards,” said midfielder Samuel Piette. “He brings so much to the team. Even when he doesn’t score, he makes assists and creates space for others. The other team is so focused on him that it usually double or triple teams him and that in itself creates space. One goal and three passes, it’s too easy for him.”
With three assists in Saturday’s game, Nacho jumps to first in MLS for most assists, and is just two goals behind Atlanta’s Josef Martínez, who leads the league with seven goals so far. It’s shaping out to be another dominant year in MLS for the Impact’s Designated Player.
Two of those passes were for Anthony Jackson-Hamel, the homegrown striker who scored his first two goals of the season in Saturday’s matchup, and the other for Raheem Edwards, making his first start since the Impact’s season opener in Vancouver.
“Jesus man,” said midfielder Raheem Edwards. “This guy is unbelievable. It’s still a little unreal for me to watch him play. He’s just so good. I don’t know what he does and how he does it, but he’s pretty magical.”
“Piatti, it’s just Piatti,” said forward Anthony Jackson-Hamel. “One goal and three assists, those are pretty solid statistics. He’s magnificent.”
Dangerous on the left
With the Impact making a few tactical changes, and with the injuries currently riddling the starting 11, Nacho Piatti started his 100th MLS game on his favourite left side, with Anthony Jackson-Hamel up top and Raheem Edwards manning the right side.
“It’s good to play offensively,” said the Videotron Man of the Match. “I like the 4-3-3 because if I don’t score or get opportunities, someone else is sure to. I’m very happy for Raheem and Anthony who both scored goals, and the fact that we won makes it even better.”
It seems there’s just no slowing down for Nacho Piatti, who signed a contract extension in the offseason that will keep him with the Bleu-blanc-noir for the next two years, with an option for 2020.
“I work hard every day to play this way and win,” added Piatti. “I’ve been here for a few years now, and my goals remains the same. I want to win the MLS Cup with Montreal.”
