PORTLAND, Oregon – The Montreal Impact successfully took on one of the toughest stadiums in MLS on Wednesday night, picking up a 1-1 tie at Providence Park against the Portland Timbers, the 2015 MLS Cup Champions.
Ignacio Piatti scored yet another of those spectacular goals of his, while former Impact striker Jack McInerney tallied for the hosts. The Bleu-blanc-noir now sits in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, but has at least one game in hand on all three top teams.
“We grew as a team as the game progressed,” said head coach Mauro Biello. “We were able to score a big goal, and we managed the game well. I’m pleased with these two points picked up in tough environments. I feel that my team is confident going into two home games.”
Montreal ties two club records
With the result, the Impact remained unbeaten for a sixth straight game, matching a club record set in September 2015. Montreal also hasn’t lost in its last three away games, which ties another club record in MLS – the team had managed two such streaks previously.
The Timbers opened the scoring in the 14th minute. Jack Jewsbury took a corner kick that McInerney nodded home for his fifth goal of the season.
A show of determination by Nacho Piatti pulled the Impact level in the 44th minute. Johan Venegas beautifully flicked the ball into the path of Piatti, who shrugged off a Nat Borchers tackle. After both players fell and got back up, the Portland defender got a foot on the ball again after Piatti controlled it in front of Alvas Powell on the edge of the penalty area. But the ball bounced back for Piatti, who pushed and finished with a right-footed strike that beat Jake Gleeson. This was Piatti’s 11th goal of the season, and his seventh in his last eight games.
“This was a tough game,” said Nacho Piatti. “After a difficult first half, we still went to the break at 1-1. We played very well in the second half. We now have to go home and win, so that we make the points that we picked up here count.”
The Impact had prevented the Timbers from going 2-0 up in the 27th minute, as Lucas Ontivero cleared a Fanendo Adi header off the line. The Bleu-blanc-noir also got a chance to score a second 63 minutes in, as Piatti faced Gleeson one-on-one on the left side. But Gleeson got his right hand up as Piatti tried to chip him. Harry Shipp and Kyle Bekker also took good attempts in the second half.
“We pushed in the second half,” said team captain Patrice Bernier. “We could have grabbed all three points. We never gave up, and we controlled the play late on. I’m very proud of the way that we kept going in this stadium.”
Goalkeeper Evan Bush made history on Wednesday night, pulling ahead of Troy Perkins for most games played and started as a goalkeeper for the Impact in MLS. Bush now has played and started 64 games for the Bleu-blanc-noir in the North American first division. On the night, Bush made five stops.
Upcoming game
The Impact returns to Stade Saputo this Sunday, July 17, at 5pm EDT to take on David Villa, Frank Lampard, Andrea Pirlo and New York City FC (RDS, TSN, ESPN, 98,5fm & TSN Radio 690). Excellent individual tickets are still available for this game on impactmontreal.com.
LINEUPS
MTL – GK-Evan Bush; D-Donny Toia, Wandrille Lefèvre, Laurent Ciman (Víctor Cabrera 54’), Hassoun Camara; M-Patrice Bernier, Kyle Bekker, Harry Shipp, Ignacio Piatti, Lucas Ontivero (Dominic Oduro 75’); F-Johan Venegas (Calum Mallace 88’)
Subs not used – GK-Eric Kronberg; M-Eric Alexander, David Choinière; F-Michael Salazar
POR – GK-Jake Gleeson; D-Alvas Powell, Liam Ridgewell, Nat Borchers, Zarek Valentin (Ned Grabavoy 90’ + 1’); M-Ben Zemanski, Darlington Nagbe, Jack Jewsbury, Lucas Melano; F-Fanendo Adi, Jack McInerney (Jack Barmby 84’)
Subst not used – GK-Wade Hamilton; D-Jermaine Taylor, Taylor Peay; M-Amobi Okugo, Neco Brett
GOALS
POR – McInerney (Jewsbury) 14’
MTL – Piatti 44’
CAUTIONS
MTL – Piatti 18’
MTL – Shipp 68’
MTL – Camara 70’
POR – Adi 70’
