SAN JOSE, California – In its 2017 season opener, the Montreal Impact lost 1-0 against the Earthquakes, on Saturday night at the Avaya Stadium in San Jose. Aníbal Godoy found the back of the net for the hosts, while Hassoun Camara, because of two yellow cards, was sent off in the second half.
“It’s up to us to play better, to be better with the ball and without the ball,” said Impact head coach Mauro Biello. “At the start of the second half, we grew in the game before the red card, but after, it was tough with a man down. We have to give more. We need to bring that intensity in every game because it’s hard to win on the road. We will analyze the game to correct the things we can improve.”
The first half was in the locals’ favour. In the 17
th
minute, Godoy applied pressure on the ball carrier, retrieving possession for his team in the attacking third. He used Chris Wondolowski as a platform, the American striker sending him through behind the Montreal defence. With his first touch, Godoy chipped Evan Bush and found the back of the net.
After the half-hour mark, the Quakes had an opportunity to double their lead through Tommy Thompson, who entered the Impact’s box on the right, but his powerful shot was stopped by Bush.
Then, four minutes before the break, Simon Dawkins freed Marco Ureña in front of goal, but the Costarican forward was caught by Camara, who cleared the danger. At the half, the locals went back to the dressing rooms with a 1-0 lead.
At the start of the second half, the Impact had a good chance to equalize. Víctor Bernárdez fouled Ignacio Piatti in front of the box, on the left. Marco Donadel took the resulting free kick, sending a shot towards the near post, but just missing the frame.
In the 66
th
minute, the Bleu-blanc-noir saw Camara get a second caution, referee Baldomero Toledo giving him his marching orders early. Down to 10 men, the Impact tried to find a goal, but was not successful.
“San Jose is a team that plays physically and does not stop for 90 minutes,” mentioned captain Patrice Bernier. “We have to bring that work ethic not to leave any hope to our opponent and make the difference. It’s a team that is tough in the challenges defensively, but we were second tonight. We have to take away that lesson for our first game at home and get a win in Montreal.”
“I don’t think we matched their intensity,” said winger Dominic Oduro. “They outworked us. That’s what made us lose out there. We have to challenge ourselves right now. That was not good enough. We just have to work harder.”
Following game
The Impact’s 2017 home opener, the climax of a full week of activities, takes place at the Olympic Stadium against the recently crowned MLS Cup champions, Seattle Sounders FC, on Saturday, March 11, at 7pm ET (TVA Sports, 98,5FM & TSN 690). Excellent tickets are still available on impactmontreal.com or at 1-866-908-9090.
LINE-UPS
MTL – G- Evan Bush; D- Ambroise Oyongo, Laurent Ciman, Hassoun Camara, Chris Duvall; M- Ignacio Piatti, Patrice Bernier (Daniel Lovitz 74’), Marco Donadel, Hernán Bernardello (Nick DePuy 83’), Dominic Oduro (Ballou Jean-Yves Tabla 63’); F- Matteo Mancosu.
Unused substitutes: Maxime Crépeau, Kyle Fisher, Calum Mallace, Louis Béland-Goyette.
SJE – G- David Bingham; D-Shaun Francis, Florian Jungwirth, Víctor Bernárdez, Nick Lima; M-Simon Dawkins (Jahmir Hyka 69’), Aníbal Godoy, Fatai Alashe, Tommy Thompson (Shea Salinas 69’); F- Chris Wondolowski, Marco Ureña (Danny Hoesen 79’).
Unused substitutes: Andrew Tarbell, Andrés Imperiale, Kofi Sarkodie, Darwin Cerén.
GOAL
SJ – Aníbal Godoy 17’
CAUTIONS
MTL – Chris Duvall 14’
SJ – Fatai Alashe 35’
MTL – Hassoun Camara 45’
MTL – Hassoun Camara 67’
SJ – Shea Salinas 90’
EJECTION
MTL – Hassoun Camara 67’
