Solid team effort capped by Ballou Tabla winner
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Back on the scene of its memorable Knockout Round win during the 2016 playoffs, the Montreal Impact did it again in Washington, defeating D.C. United by a 1-0 scoreline on Saturday. Ballou Jean-Yves Tabla scored the only goal of the game for the Bleu-blanc-noir, clinching the team’s first road win of the season – and the club’s first-ever regular-season win at RFK Stadium.
“I’m happy for my players, who worked very hard,” said Impact head coach Mauro Biello. “We gave nothing away defensively, and we beat an Eastern Conference rival that has been doing well. I want to congratulate everyone, because there were a lot of good things in this game.”
Tabla scores early go-ahead goal
In spite of an unprecedented starting XI, the Impact played boldly from the get-go and got its reward 13 minutes in, after Adrián Arregui found Tabla down the middle. Picking up the ball midway between the centre circle and the penalty area, Tabla first got past Jared Jeffrey and Luciano Acosta. He then challenged centre back Kofi Opare and took a low shot from outside the penalty area that beat goalkeeper Travis Worra. Tabla thus scored his second of the season, while Arregui delivered the first assist of his MLS career.
“I’m not used to playing in the middle, but I applied the coach’s instructions and this is what happened,” said Ballou Jean-Yves Tabla. “My teammates behind me made it safer for me and allowed me to attack. I’m really glad to have played alongside these players here today.”
A masterful Bleu-blanc-noir could have doubled its lead in the 31st minute. Ambroise Oyongo fed Nacho Piatti, who picked out a fine Dominic Oduro run behind the defence. Oduro then cut the ball back in the penalty area, where Piatti played a good ball to Daniel Lovitz who narrowly missed the frame.
Although forward Patrick Mullins subbed in for the home team after halftime, the Impact managed the second half efficiently. But Montreal did dodge a bullet in the 57th minute, as Acosta struck a shot onto the crossbar after a fine Taylor Kemp ball into midfield.
While Dominic Oduro did challenge Worra at the hour mark, the Bleu-blanc-noir mostly focused on keeping the home side at bay. Mullins was the only one who created a clear-cut chance against goalkeeper Evan Bush, 77 minutes in, but the Montreal ‘keeper caught the shot. Bush picked up the shutout and his 30th career MLS win on the night.
“We needed this, and we earned it today,” said Daniel Lovitz. “I thought it was a classic group effort to get the job done. Good teams are the teams that can score early, keep a clean sheet and win the game, especially in places like this.”
A Kofi Opare goal ruled out for offside was followed by two attempts by Marcelo Sarvas and Mullins in the last minutes. But both flew over the frame, and the visitors held strong to clinch their second win of the season.
Upcoming games
The Impact will play four of its following five games in all competitions at its Stade Saputo home. The Bleu-blanc-noir will first take on Columbus Crew SC on Saturday, May 13, at 5pm EDT (TVA Sports, 98,5FM & TSN Radio 690). Excellent tickets for this game, as well as season tickets and mini-season packages, are still available on impactmontreal.com.
LINEUPS
DC – GK-Bill Hamid; D-Sean Franklin, Kofi Opare, Bobby Boswell, Taylor Kemp; M-Lloyd Sam (José Ortiz 83’), Ian Harkes (Marcelo Sarvas 78’), Jared Jeffrey, Luciano Acosta, Lamar Neagle; F-Sébastien Le Toux (Patrick Mullins 46’)
Subs not used – D-Chris Odoi-Atsem, Jalen Robinson
MTL – GK-Evan Bush; D-Chris Duvall, Kyle Fisher, Laurent Ciman, Ambroise Oyongo; M-Daniel Lovitz, Adrián Arregui (Patrice Bernier 69’), Ballou Jean-Yves Tabla (Calum Mallace 78’), Hernán Bernardello, Nacho Piatti; F-Dominic Oduro (Anthony Jackson-Hamel 84’)
Subs not used – GK-Maxime Crépeau; D-Wandrille Lefèvre; M-Louis Béland-Goyette, David Choinière
GOAL
MTL – Tabla (Arregui) 13’
CAUTIONS
MTL – Bernardello 45’
MTL – Lovitz 50’
MTL – Fisher 59’
