CARSON, California – The Montreal Impact began a two-game West Coast road trip with a brilliant performance in a 0-0 draw against the LA Galaxy, Saturday night, at the StubHub Center.
“I’m very proud of the way we played against one of the best teams in the league,” said Impact head coach Mauro Biello. “We were able to contain them for most of the game and we created chances. I’m happy with the effort that we put in. We managed the momentum tonight and we’re happy with the result.”
The first half was a hard fought battle. In front of the Galaxy firepower, which had an 11-1-2 record at home before tonight’s game, the Bleu-blanc-noir was efficient defensively, while creating scoring chances.
In the second minute, midfielder Justin Mapp saw his shot blocked by goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts with his right hand.
A few minutes later, midfielder Andrés Romero scored on a rebound from Ricketts after a low shot from Piatti, but it was judged that he was offside on the play.
Romero got another opportunity in the 15th minute, but his powerful shot was stopped by the former Impact keeper.
Goalkeeper Evan Bush, who made four saves to get his fifth shutout of the season, distinguished himself twice in the first half, first in front of Robbie Keane, and then against Juninho.
“It’s a very difficult place to play so it’s a fantastic result,” said Bush. “To keep a clean sheet against the defending champions on the road is even more impressive. The back line did very well. It was a great team effort.”
In the second half, the Impact got its best scoring chance from Didier Drogba’s left foot when his shot just missed the net to the left of Ricketts.
With this draw, the Impact remains sixth in the Eastern Conference, two points ahead of the Philadelphia Union but also with four games in hand.
The Impact will now travel to San Jose to face the Earthquakes at Avaya Stadium on Wednesday at 10:30pm EDT (TVA Sports, TSN Radio 690). IMFC will then play its next home game on Saturday, September 19, at 8pm, versus the New England Revolution.
LINEUPS
MTL – GK-Evan Bush; D-Nigel Reo-Coker, Victor Cabrera, Wandrille Lefèvre, Donny Toia; M-Marco Donadel, Calum Mallace, Justin Mapp (Dominic Oduro 38’), Ignacio Piatti (Johan Venegas 82’), Andrés Romero (Dilly Duka 74’); F-Didier Drogba
Subs not used: GK-Eric Kronberg; D-Ambroise Oyongo, Hassoun Camara; M-Eric Alexander
LA – GK-Donovan Ricketts; D-A.J. DeLaGarza (Dan Gargan 88’), Dave Romney, Omar Gonzalez, Robbie Rogers; M-Giovani Dos Santos (Baggio Husidic 46’), Juninho, Sebastian Lletget (Alan Gordon 74’), Steven Gerrard; F-Gyasi Zardes, Robbie Keane
Subs not used: GK-Brian Rowe; D-Tommy Meyer; M-Mika Vayrynen; F-Edson Buddle
CAUTIONS
MTL – Reo-Coker 37’
MTL – Romero 52’
