MONTREAL – Dominic Oduro and Ignacio Piatti joined forces once more, this Saturday at the Olympic Stadium, and helped the Montreal Impact to a second victory in as many MLS games this season. Anthony Jackson-Hamel came off the bench to cap off a 3-0 win that sends Montreal top of the MLS Eastern Conference.
“We won against one of the league’s best teams,” said head coach Mauro Biello. “We managed the momentum well and then capitalized on our chances. We keep working and building this team with confidence, all the while implementing our principles of play.”
Oduro scored his second of the season in the 58th minute, on a costly giveaway by Red Bulls centre back Gideon Baah. Piatti recovered the ball and swiftly played in Johan Venegas, subbed in only seconds before, down the right. Venegas crossed low for Oduro, who slipped the ball under the onrushing goalkeeper Luis Robles and into the net. This made it two assists already this season for Piatti.
Piatti added the second, his third of the season, in the 71st minute. After a spectacular Evan Bush save on Bradley Wright-Phillips and a pinpoint Donny Toia ball behind the defence, Piatti patiently waited for Robles to commit before finishing low to his left. Toia thus registered his very first MLS assist.
Although he subbed on late, Jackson-Hamel still managed to score his first MLS goal when he picked up Harry Shipp’s expert chipped pass in the penalty area. Jackson-Hamel stabbed the ball into the side netting to Robles’ right. Eric Alexander, who played his 10,000th MLS minute during the game, also recorded an assist on this goal.
“We need everybody, and we all came out here to play,” said Dominic Oduro. “That’s what’s important right now. We have momentum from last year, and it’s really positive. We’re playing well, with help from Mauro and his coaching staff.”
Montreal had almost opened the scoring in the 19th minute on a counterattack. But Lucas Ontivero, who had already struck a shot just over the crossbar 12 minutes earlier, saw his attempt crash onto the post.
Not only did Bradley Wright-Phillips get stopped point blank by Bush in the 71st, but he also had nearly scored in the 54th, when his low shot trickled just wide at the far post.
“Every time you get three points from an Eastern Conference team, it’s important,” said Evan Bush. “We’ve had our troubles with the Red Bulls over the years, so it feels very good. The clean sheet gives us confidence that we can shut down high-powered offences.”
The Montreal Impact’s next home game will take place on April 9, at the Olympic Stadium, against Columbus Crew SC (TVA Sports, 98,5fm, TSN Radio 690). Excellent tickets are still available on impactmontreal.com. Season tickets starting at only $339, as well as Pick-4-Packs, are also available on impactmontreal.com.
In the meantime, the Impact next plays on Saturday, March 19, at 9pm at Toyota Stadium against FC Dallas (TVA Sports, TSN Radio 690). Forward Didier Drogba, who is currently training with Sacramento Republic (USL), has targeted Dallas as the site of his return to the playing field.
LINEUPS
MTL – GK-Evan Bush; D-Ambroise Oyongo, Victor Cabrera, Laurent Ciman, Donny Toia; M-Calum Mallace, Eric Alexander, Lucas Ontivero (Johan Venegas 57’), Ignacio Piatti (Anthony Jackson-Hamel 90+3’), Harry Shipp; F-Dominic Oduro (Kyle Bekker 80’)
Subs not used – GK-Eric Kronberg; D-Hassoun Camara, Wandrille Lefèvre; F-Michael Salazar
NYRB – GK-Luis Robles; D-Gideon Baah, Karl W. Ouimette, Kemar Lawrence, Sal Zizzo; M-Dax McCarty, Felipe, Lloyd Sam (Anatole Abang 61’), Mike Grella (Shaun Wright-Phillips 68’), Sacha Kjlestan (Sean Davis 80’); F-Bradley Wright-Phillips
Subs not used – GK-Kyle Reynish; D-Chris Duvall, Connor Lade, Zach Carroll
GOALS
MTL – Oduro (Venegas, Piatti) 58’
MTL – Piatti (Toia) 71’
MTL – Jackson-Hamel (Shipp, Alexander) 90+4’
CAUTIONS
NYRB – McCarty 36’
MTL – Cabrera 52’
