The Montreal Impact’s first in a stretch of three straight away games got off to a challenging start after only 19 minutes.
The early sending-off of Impact right back Jeb Brovsky, who was not available for comment after Saturday’s 2-0 defeat against the Crew, did not make things easy for the expansion side in Columbus. But even without Brovsky, Montreal gave the home team a run for its money.
“Our response was good, we didn’t feel sorry for ourselves,” Montreal captain Davy Arnaud told MLSsoccer.com following the match. “We still gave them a good game and made it tough on them. Even with us down to 10, they had a tough day today. On another day, we might get a couple of goals.
“We had plenty of moments to get back in the game, and even after the second, we continued to battle. I don’t think the performance was bad, it’s just tough playing with 10.”
WATCH: Did Brovsky deserve a red?
The Impact skipper, who moved from right mid to right back after Brovsky saw red, seemed none too pleased about the incident. In his view, such a challenge is a common occurrence on the soccer field.
“I wasn’t too far away from [the foul]. It’s unfortunate. Sometimes, decisions go against you,” Arnaud explained. “I think what happened on the play was contact that happens many, many times during a game. I think it was nothing out of the ordinary.”
That Montreal were able to stay in the game as long as they did, can be attributed to goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts, who registered a standout performance. The Jamaican international made no less than eight saves, many of them spectacular.
According to Impact midfielder Justin Mapp, who proved dangerous throughout the first half even after Brovsky’s sending off, tipped his cap to the veteran ‘keeper.
“He’s an experienced guy, we obviously always feel good having him there,” Mapp said. “He made some great saves today. He’s going to do big things for us throughout the year and we have nothing but confidence in him.”
The Montreal Impact’s road trip continues on March 31 when they travel to New York to face the Red Bulls.
