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MONTREAL – The Montreal Impact suffered a 4-1 loss to Orlando City SC on Wednesday night at Stade Saputo. Brazilian superstar Kaká tallied a brace for the winners, while Brek Shea and Carlos Rivas also scored. Didier Drogba got the lone goal for the Bleu-blanc-noir, who was reduced to 10 men after Evan Bush was sent off in the 51st minute.
The Lions thus jumped above the 2016 Audi MLS Cup Playoffs red line, moving to sixth place in the Eastern Conference. They now concede only three points to the Impact, which remains fifth in the East.
“This is a game to forget,” said Impact head coach Mauro Biello. “We gifted them goals tonight, and you can’t win when you are nonchalant. We created chances but didn’t finish them. We have to show more urgency. Losing at home like this is frustrating, and we have to improve.”
Down early, Orlando replies quickly
The Impact wasted no time to get on the score sheet. Seconds into the encounter, Calum Mallace won the ball by the centre circle and shifted it to Kyle Bekker, who released Nacho Piatti down the left. But José Aja fouled the Argentinean, and on the ensuing free kick, Drogba blasted a swerving shot that goalkeeper Joe Bendik only could deflect into his own net.
The Lions replied two minutes later. On the right, Kaká played the ball through to Matias Pérez Garcia, who crossed for Carlos Rivas. With one touch, Rivas tipped the ball to Shea, alone to Bush’s right, for the equalizer.
Orlando took the lead in the 36th minute after the ball was lost deep into the Montreal half. Once more, Pérez Garcia and Rivas combined to move the ball over to the left side, and Kaká pounced this time, scoring with a low shot.
“We started well, but unfortunately, they came back into the game too quickly,” said Didier Drogba. “We have to string good results together. We can’t stay too pleased after a good performance only to then not come to play at home. We have to progress.”
Montreal nearly made it 2-2 three minutes later. After a corner kick, a long Donny Toia pass reached Hassoun Camara who, with a magnificent touch, crossed for Drogba in the six-yard box. However, Bendik ran to his right just in time to deny the Ivorian striker.
Back from the break, the Bleu-blanc-noir once again saw one of its own get harshly ejected. Running out of his net to close the angles on Rivas, who was through on goal, Bush brought the forward down. As Rivas’ touch took the ball away from the net, the goal-scoring opportunity didn’t seem obvious anymore, but referee Silviu Petrescu still pulled out a red card for Bush. Kaká then completed his brace, shooting the penalty kick to the right of substitute goalkeeper Eric Kronberg, who got a hand to the attempt.
The Impact could have reduced the gap in the 69th minute, as David Mateos clipped Matteo Mancosu in the box. But goalkeeper Bendik dived to his right to stop Drogba’s attempt on the penalty kick.
“We have to understand that we didn’t play an excellent game,” said team captain Patrice Bernier. “We have to regroup, work and come back with the will to take every game as if it were a final, without playing half-heartedly or believing that a game is over because we’re up 1-0.”
The Impact created several opportunities through the second half – including an indirect free kick by the six-yard box after Bendik illegally picked up a back-pass –, but Orlando took advantage of a transition to put the final touches on its win, 77 minutes in. Released down the left by Júlio Baptista, Rivas took a left-footed shot into the opposite side netting, beating Kronberg.
Next games
The Impact’s next game at Stade Saputo will take place on Saturday, September 17, at 7:30pm against the New England Revolution (RDS, TSN & TSN Radio 690). Excellent individual tickets are still available for this game on impactmontreal.com.
In the meantime, the Bleu-blanc-noir will be playing a road game this Saturday, September 10, taking on the Philadelphia Union at Talen Energy Stadium at 7pm (TVA Sports 2 & TSN Radio 690).
LINEUPS
MTL – GK-Evan Bush; D-Donny Toia, Hassoun Camara, Laurent Ciman, Amadou Dia; M-Calum Mallace (Patrice Bernier 46’), Hernán Bernardello, Ignacio Piatti, Kyle Bekker (Eric Kronberg 52’), Dominic Oduro (Matteo Mancosu 67’); F-Didier Drogba
Subs not used – D-Víctor Cabrera; M-Lucas Ontivero, Marco Donadel, Harry Shipp
ORL – GK-Joseph Bendik; D-Kevin Alston, David Mateos (Seb Hines 80’), Jose Aja, Luke Boden; M-Matías Pérez García, Antonio Nocerino, Servando Carrasco, Brek Shea (Júlio Baptista 61’); F-Carlos Rivas, Kaká (Tony Rocha 65’)
Subs not used – GK-Earl Edwards; D-Tommy Redding; M-Michael Ambrose; F-Hadji Barry
GOALS
MTL – Drogba 2’
ORL – Shea (Rivas, Pérez García) 4’
ORL – Kaká (Rivas, Pérez García) 36’
ORL – Kaká (PEN) 54’
ORL – Rivas (Baptista) 77’
CAUTIONS
ORL – Shea 45’
MTL – Bernier 51’
ORL – Carrasco 55’
MTL – Bernardello 84’
ORL – Hines 89’
EJECTION
MTL – Bush 51’
