BRIDGEVIEW, Illinois - The Montreal Impact lost to the Chicago Fire 3-1 (halftime 1-1), at Toyota Park in Bridgeview, Illinois. Designated Player Marco Di Vaio scored the lone goal for the Impact, his fifth of the season.
The Impact remains 7th in the Eastern Conference with 39 points, now five points from D.C. United in the 5th spot – the final playoff berth – after United won 2-1 against the New England Revolution. With four games to play this season, the Impact is still in the playoff hunt.
The Impact opened the scoring in the 20th minute when Marco Di Vaio scored his 4th goal in as many games, a new team record for the club in MLS. Defender Nelson Rivas, from deep in the Impact’s zone, played a long ball down the right flank to fellow defender Hassoun Camara. The right back, making his first appearance since serving a two-game suspension, headed the ball towards the half circle where Di Vaio took one touch to his left, before firing a low shot that beat Fire goalkeeper Sean Johnson to his right.
Posted along the six yard box, Chicago Fire forward Sherjill MacDonald scored his second of the season to tie things up in the 34th minute when he headed in a cross that originated from the right flank by defender Jalil Anibaba.
The Fire then took the lead in the 61st minute when midfielder Alex took a chip pass from midfielder Alvaro Fernandez near the top of the box. The former Seattle Sounder took one touch before roofing a left-footer past Perkins.
The Fire scored an insurance goal in the 80th minute when Chris Rolfe played a lateral pass from down the right flank to Fernandez just inside the top of the 18 yard box, who one-timed a low shot to the short side.
Postgame comments
“We couldn’t sustain ourselves after they scored. We looked a little tired after that,” said Impact head coach Jesse Marsch. “The first half was a pretty even game, then, the game changed following the second goal. It’s frustrating because we know that this was an important match for us and we felt we gave it away a little bit in the second half.”
“Up until they got the second goal, we were pretty good,” added team captain Davy Arnaud. “It’s disappointing because I thought we’ve done a good job in getting leads on the road.”
“We needed those three points,” said goalkeeper Troy Perkins. “It’s not the best situation to be in right now for the playoffs, but we have to take it one game at a time. I don’t think we regrouped very well tonight after they scored. We have to be able to pick ourselves up better. We have to look to get those three points at home next week.”
Highlights: CHI 3, MTL 1
Other highlights
Impact keeper Troy Perkins played in his fifth straight game since joining the club. He came up big in the 12th minute when midfielder Alex fired a shot from just outside the 18 that was deflected, but Perkins grabbed the ball diving to his right. Then again in the 35th minute, the Ohio native dove to his left to stop Rolfe. In the 88th minute, he also stopped Dominic Oduro.
Midfielder Sanna Nyassi came close in the 37th minute when a ball played across the crease by midfielder Patrice Bernier just slipped past the sliding Nyassi near the goal line.
Canadian international Patrice Bernier dribbled and dangled the ball in the left side of the box before playing it to Di Vaio in the 75th minute, but the Italian’s one-timer was stopped by Johnson.
Midfielder Justin Mapp made his return to the lineup following an injury that sidelined him for over a month, coming on as a substitute in the 65th minute for Rivas.
Upcoming match
The Impact returns home to play its second to last home game of the season this Saturday at Stade Saputo, against Sporting Kansas City at 1pm (ET). Individual tickets for games at Stade Saputo are available via admission.com or by calling 1-855-790-1245. The Impact and Centraide is organizing a celebrity game that will be played right after the matchup versus Kansas City. Details will be announced shortly.
Impact Academy
The Impact U21 team (9-3-5) won its fourth game in a row on Saturday night, beating Niagara United 3-0, at Kalar Sports Park, in Niagara Falls. The game scheduled for Friday night versus TFC Academy was postponed due to electrical problems at Downsview Park. The U21s will play their next game on Sunday, against Brantford Galaxy at 2pm, at the Claude-Robillard Sports Complex.
The Montreal Impact U16 and U18 teams will play their historic first ever home opener in the US Development Academy (USSDA) this Sunday at Saint-Jean-Vianney Sports Complex, against FC Bolts Celtic. The U18 side plays at noon, while the U16 squad hits the field at 2pm. Admission is free and the games are open to the public.
2013 season tickets
Ensure your spot for the Montreal Impact's 2013 season by getting on the priority list with a $50 deposit. Contact the sales team at 514-328-3668. It is also possible to renew your season tickets for 2013 by contacting the club before October 19, 2012. Also, follow the Impact by downloading the club’s new mobile app powered by Videotron and available free for Android and iOS.
Lineups
MTL: GK – Troy Perkins; D – Hassoun Camara, Alessandro Nesta (Jeb Brovsky 81’), Nelson Rivas (Justin Mapp 65’), Matteo Ferrari; M – Collen Warner (Andrew Wenger 73’), Patrice Bernier, Sanna Nyassi, Davy Arnaud, Felipe ; F – Marco Di Vaio
Subs not used: GK – Evan Bush; D – Dennis Iapichino; M – Sinisa Ubiparipovic, Lamar Neagle
CHI: GK – Sean Johnson; D – Jalil Anibaba, Arne Friedrich (Dan Gargan 41’), Austin Berry, Gonzalo Segares; M – Patrick Nyarko, Logan Pause, Alex, Alvaro Fernandez (Wells Thompson 83’); F – Chris Rolfe, Sherjill MacDonald (Dominic Oduro 77’)
Subs not used: GK – Paolo Tornaghi; D – Hunter Jumper, M – Corben Bone, Michael Videira
Goals
MTL – Di Vaio (Camara) 20’
CHI – MacDonald (Anibaba) 34’
CHI – Alex (Fernandez) 61’
CHI – Fernandez (Rolfe, Gargan) 80’
Caution
CHI – Gargan 47’
