Please enable Javascript to watch this video
MONTREAL – Despite a strong start to the game, the Montreal Impact didn’t get the better of the Eastern Conference leader, this Sunday at Stade Saputo in front of yet another sellout crowd of 20,801. The Bleu-blanc-noir suffered a 3-1 defeat against NYCFC who improved its road record, the best in MLS.
Harry Shipp scored the only Impact goal, while David Villa, Jack Harrison and Frank Lampard scored for the visitors. Despite the loss, the Impact remains fourth in the Eastern Conference with games in hand on the top three teams.
“We were in control of this game, but we made a mistake on their first goal and they made us pay,” said Impact head coach Mauro Biello. “We were closing them down, not giving them space, creating chances. After they scored, we were chasing the game, and it was difficult. We cannot give up three goals at home and expect to win games.”
First goal for Harry Shipp at Stade Saputo
The Impact was eager to return to its home, and the team created the first chance of the game in the opening seconds. Harry Shipp floated a beautiful ball into the box for Didier Drogba, who chested it down to shoot. But goalkeeper Josh Saunders beat the shot away for a corner kick.
The Bleu-Blanc-noir kept creating opportunities in the first half-hour, keeping NYCFC at bay. Nevertheless, NYCFC took the lead 35 minutes in after a good ball into space on the left for David Villa. The MLS top scorer wrestled an opponent off before beating goalkeeper Evan Bush to his left for his 13th tally of the 2016 season.
“Individual defensive mistakes affected our confidence, and it was hard to come back from this,” said Hassoun Camara. “This was a six-point game against the Conference leader. We need to get ourselves back up and work hard to have the opportunity to get better during the upcoming games.”
The Impact nearly equalized in the 41st minute. After a foul on Michael Salazar 20 metres from goal, Drogba took the ensuing free kick, but Saunders jumped well to punch the ball away.
Jack Harrison gave New York City a two-goal lead in first half stoppage time. After some crafty moves down the right, Harrison cut inside onto his left foot and curled a shot in to score his third professional goal.
The Impact cut the lead to one in the 55th minute. Unmarked on the left after brushing past Andrea Pirlo, Shipp shot from outside the box. Centre back Frédéric Brillant tried to clear but only managed to throw Saunders off, and the ‘keeper mistimed his dive, letting the ball slip bounce into the net. Shipp, who had just won a corner kick with a fierce attempt, scored his first Impact goal at Stade Saputo and his second overall this season.
But NYCFC scored the insurance goal in the 85th minute. After a misunderstanding in midfield, the Impact found itself in a 1-v-3 situation at the back. Wandrille Lefèvre did well to get in front of Frank Lampard in the penalty area, but the ball took a wicked deflection off of Lampard and landed past Bush.
“In the first half, I thought we came out and played pretty well,” said Harry Shipp. “Defensively, our shape was good, it probably broke down twice in the half and they capitalized. When the second half started, we were patient and we got a goal, but we need to limit individual mistakes and correct these little things. We’ll go back to the drawing board and come back stronger.”
Upcoming game
The Bleu-blanc-noir will also play its following game at Stade Saputo, on Saturday, July 23, at 7:30pm against the Philadelphia Union, currently second in the Eastern Conference. Excellent individual tickets are still available for this game on impactmontreal.com.
The Impact will also play an international friendly against A.S Roma on Wednesday, August 3, at 7:30pm at Stade Saputo. Members (season ticket holders) already have their tickets for this match, identified as the “Game to be determined”. Excellent tickets for this great event are also still available.
LINEUPS
MTL – GK-Evan Bush; D-Ambroise Oyongo, Wandrille Lefèvre, Víctor Cabrera, Hassoun Camara; M-Eric Alexander, Calum Mallace (Johan Venegas 79’), Harry Shipp (Matteo Mancosu 64’), Michael Salazar; F-Dominic Oduro (Lucas Ontivero 46’), Didier Drogba
Subs not used – GK-Eric Kronberg; D-Amadou Dia; M-Kyle Bekker, Patrice Bernier
NYC – GK-Josh Saunders; D-Ethan White, Frédéric Brillant, Jefferson Mena, RJ Allen; M-Andoni Iraola (Mikey Lopez 63’), Andrea Pirlo, Frank Lampard; F-David Villa, Jack Harrison (Patrick Mullins 88’), Thomas McNamara (Federico Bravo 76’)
Subs not used – GK-Eirik Johansen; D-Jason Hernandez; M-Mehdi Ballouchy, Tony Taylor
GOALS
NYC – Villa (McNamara) 35’
NYC – Harrison (McNamara) 45’+2’
MTL – Shipp (Oyongo) 55’
NYC – Lampard 85’
LINEUPS
MTL – Camara 50’
MTL – Ontivero 61’
NYC – Lopez 72’
MTL – Cabrera 74’
NYC – Saunders 88’
