Michael Salazar scores in a third consecutive game
MONTREAL – The Montreal Impact could not continue its winning run at Stade Saputo, on Saturday night, as FC Dallas beat the hosts 2-1. Cristian Colmán brought his team three points with a brace, while Michael Salazar replied for the Bleu-blanc-noir.
“We played against a good team tonight,” said Montreal Impact head coach Mauro Biello. “Their speed caused us some problems. We took the lead in the first half, but we made mistakes in the second half. We have to be able to play under pressure. We have to find our rhythm ahead of another important game next Saturday in New York.”
Montreal takes the lead
The first warning shot of the game by the Impact came early, in the 7th minute. A nice build-up on the right between Salazar and Chris Duvall allowed the latter to cross the ball on the ground for Matteo Mancosu at the near post, but his shot lacked a bit of power. The visitors replied with a chance for themselves a minute later, with a Michael Barrios cross finding Roland Lamah, but his volley could not find the frame.
In the 18th minute, the hosts had a clear opportunity from a corner. Salazar brought the ball back for Kyle Fisher in the area; his first-time shot looked like it was going in, but was blocked by Chris Duvall, who was in an offside position anyway.
Going blow for blow, Lamah and Ryan Hollingshead, on the left flank, combined to free the American full-back. His shot was saved by Evan Bush, but the rebound, sent towards goal right away by Colmán, was headed away by Daniel Lovitz. The refereeing corps, however, did not listen to Dallas’ demands of a goal.
Montreal opened the scoring in the 24th minute. Mancosu, on the right, beat his marker and sent in a left-footed cross for Salazar, who was marked by two players; the Belize international still could head the ball inside the far post and find the back of the goal for a third game in a row.
Two goals in 10 minutes for the Texans
Back from the break, the Impact almost doubled its lead as Blerim Dzemaili took a shot from a narrow angle, millimetres over the crossbar.
FC Dallas leveled the score in the 52nd minute. Lamah, in the middle, passed the ball for Maximiliano Urruti in the inside left channel. His first-time cross to the far post found Colmán all alone. The Paraguayan did not miss his chance.
Ten minutes later, Carlos Gruezo, from the centre circle, saw Colmán making a run in behind. His long pass connected and the striker went around Bush to finish in an empty goal.
“I thought we made bad turnovers in certain areas that punished us,” said defender Kyle Fisher. “We were out of shape and got caught on the back foot a couple of times. We didn’t get enough fluidity in our game compared to the midweek game. That was a big problem for us tonight.”
The hosts pushed on at the end of the game, bringing on Nacho Piatti, back from injury, Patrice Bernier, returning from the Gold Cup, and Dominic Oduro, but scoring opportunities for Ballou Tabla and Dzemaili were not finished.
Upcoming games
The Impact will go to the Big Apple for a first visit to Red Bull Arena since the team eliminated the Red Bulls at the Conference semifinals stage, in 2016, on Saturday, July 29, at 7:30pm (TVA Sports, 98,5fm, TSN Radio 690), before returning to Stade Saputo for another game against a direct rival in the MLS Cup playoff race, Orlando City SC, on Saturday, August 5, at 7:30pm (TVA Sports, 98,5fm, TSN Radio 690 – TICKETS).
LINEUPS
MTL – GK-Evan Bush; D-Chris Duvall (Dominic Oduro 75’), Kyle Fisher, Victor Cabrera, Daniel Lovitz; M-Marco Donadel, Calum Mallace (Ignacio Piatti 59’), Blerim Dzemaili, Michael Salazar (Patrice Bernier 59’), Ballou Tabla; F-Matteo Mancosu
Subs not used: Eric Kronberg, Laurent Ciman, Louis Béland-Goyette, David Choinière
DAL – GK-Chris Seitz; D-Hernan Grana, Atiba Harris, Maynor Figueroa, Ryan Hollinsghead; M-Michael Barrios (Tesho Akindele, 88’), Victor Ulloa, Carlos Gruezo, Roland Lamah (Walker Zimmerman 83’); F-Cristian Colman (Carlos Cermeño 81’), Maximiliano Urruti
Subs not used: Jimmy Maurer, Aaron Guillen, Javier Morales, Jesus Ferreira
GOALS
MTL – Salazar (Mancosu) 23’
DAL – Colmán (Urruti, Lamah) 52’
DAL – Colmán (Gruezo) 62’
CAUTIONS
MTL – Mancosu 43’
DAL – Figueroa 44’
DAL – Grana 55’
DAL – Ulloa 66’
