Bridgeview, Illinois – In an MLS Reserve League game, the Montreal Impact fell to the Chicago Fire, at Toyota Park, in Bridgeview, in Illinois, Sunday morning.
Midfielder Blake Smith opened the scoring in the 29th minute. Dribbling through the middle of the field, Brazilian midfielder Felipe served a long ball deep down the left flank for Smith, finding himself alone in front of keeper Alex Kann. The Texan scored with a low shot to the second post.
Five minutes later, Fire forward Quincy Amarikwa posted inside the box, scored with a bicycle kick that left no chance for Impact goalkeeper Evan Bush.
The Fire took the lead in the 59th minute when Amarikwa scored his second of the game. Following a pass by midfielder Maicon Santos, Amarikwa dribbled into the box and beat Bush with a well-place shot.
Bush made two important saves on Amarikwa in the 13th minute. The Fire striker found himself alone in front of goal, he tried to dribble past Bush, but the Impact keeper didn't bite and pushed the ball away diving to make the stop. A few seconds later, Amarikwa fired a low shot with his left foot, but Bush came up with another stop.
Central defender Adrian Lopez started his first game for the Impact, after joining the club on July 26.
Post-game comments
"We played a good overall game, especially in the first half," noted Impact assistant coach Philippe Eullaffroy. "We suffered a little in the second half, but it's positive that some players can get playing time when they need it. This is what the MLS Reserve League is about."
"Despite the loss, we moved the ball around very well and played a good game," said defender Maxim Tissot. "It was the first game in three weeks for some of us, since we played Rochester, so there was a little drag in our play."
Next Game
The Impact plays its next game at Stade Saputo against D.C. United on Saturday, August 17, at 7pm (ET).
Lineups
MTL – GK-Evan Bush; D-Maxim Tissot, Wandrille Lefèvre, Adrian Lopez, Karl W. Ouimette; M-Paolo DelPicolo, Collen Warner (Amine Meftouh* 69’), Felipe (Victor Ndiaye* 45’), Andrea Pisanu, Zakaria Messoudi; Blake Smith
Academy Players
Unused players: Maxime Crépeau
CHI – GK-Alex Kann; D-Mike Videira, Steven Kinney (Victor Pineda 58’), Yamith Cueta, Hunter Jumper; M-Corben Bone, Daniel Paladini (Yazid Atouba 45’), Wells Thompson, Maicon Santos (Jeff Farina 82’), Shaun Francis; A-Quincy Amarikwa (Brendan King 70’)
Unused subs: Paolo Tornaghi, James Myall
Goals
MTL – Smith (Felipe) 29’
CHI – Amarikwa 34’
CHI – Amarikwa (Santos) 59’
Cautions
MTL – Warner 52’
CHI – Amarikwa 67’
