COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Montreal Impact got a point out of its game at MAPFRE Stadium, on Saturday night, tying 0-0 against Columbus Crew SC.
With a solid defensive outing, the Bleu-blanc-noir is third in the MLS Eastern Conference, three points from Philadelphia who were beaten 3-2 on Saturday afternoon by New York City FC, who reached second place.
“I’m pleased with our defensive organization,” said head coach Mauro Biello. “We didn’t concede. We’re unbeaten this year against Columbus, and we just took a point on the road. It was important not to give anything away to the opposition. This is a good result for us.”
Impact tight at the back
Despite 12 attempts, Crew SC only managed to put one shot on target against Montreal, who kept a first clean sheet in MLS since a 2-0 win against Columbus on April 9 at Olympic Stadium.
“We were good, very composed defensively,” said Dominic Oduro. “Coming here and getting a point is good. We adjusted to Columbus’ style of play well. Everybody was in sync, which is really positive.”
The Impact, for its part, placed three shots on frame. Forward Didier Drogba got the first good opportunity for Montreal at the quarter-hour mark on a direct free kick. Drogba provided a fine attempt, but the ball flew just over the crossbar and landed behind the net.
Goalkeeper Evan Bush then made a crucial intervention in the 21st minute. Justin Meram found a way through down the middle with the ball at his feet, but Bush dived to his right to make the save.
“On the road, any points are good, especially against a team like Columbus that has been playing a bit better and got a big win on Wednesday,” said Evan Bush. “Getting a couple of clean sheets in a row is positive for us. We’ll take the point and return home for a couple of games.”
Both teams got a chance to turn the game on its head some 10 minutes from halftime. In the 36th, Crew SC goalkeeper Steve Clark did well to stop Lucas Ontivero, who twisted and turned to strike a fierce shot. Seconds later, at the other end, Víctor Cabrera slid beautifully to stymie Ethan Finlay, who’d received the ball at the penalty spot.
Bush made his presence felt again in the 87th minute as Finlay fed Ola Kamara in the penalty area. However, Bush was able to pick the ball out of the air.
Efficient at right back on Saturday night, Hassoun Camara became, in the 81st minute, the first player in Impact history to play 8,000 minutes in the North American first division. Camara also became the first player with 90 MLS starts in club history.
Upcoming game
The Impact will be back at Stade Saputo on Saturday, June 25, against Sporting Kansas City at 7:30pm (TVA Sports, 98,5fm & TSN Radio 690). Excellent individual tickets for that game are still available on impactmontreal.com.
LINEUPS
MTL – GK-Evan Bish; D-Ambroise Oyongo, Victor Cabrera, Wandrille Lefèvre, Hassoun Camara; M-Eric Alexander, Kyle Bekker, Lucas Ontivero (Michael Salazar 83’), Johan Venegas (Patrice Bernier 69’), Dominic Oduro (Harry Shipp 89’); F-Didier Drogba
Subs not used – GK-Eric Kronberg; D-Maxim Tissot, Kyle Fisher; F-Cameron Porter
CLB – GK-Steve Clark; D-Corey Ashe, Harrison Afful, Michael Parkhurst, Tyson Wahl; M-Hector Jimenez (Ola Kamara 71’), Justin Meram, Mohammed Saeid (Rodrigo Saravia 85’), Tony Tchani, Wil Trapp; F-Ethan Finlay
Subs not used – GK-Brad Stuver; D-Chard Barson, Waylon Francis; M-Cristian Martinez, Emil Larsen
CAUTIONS
CLB – Ashe 14’
MTL – Drogba 59’
CLB – Wahl 68’
CLB – Tchani 68’
MTL – Camara 90’ + 2’
