Abu Danladi gives his side the win in the 89th minute
MONTREAL – The Montreal Impact lost 3-2 against Minnesota United FC at Stade Saputo, on Saturday night, in front of a full house of 20,801 supporters. Kevin Molino, from the penalty spot, Christian Ramirez and Abu Danladi scored for the visitors, while Patrice Bernier and Blerim Dzemaili offered the reply for the Bleu-blanc-noir.
“Tonight’s outcome is frustrating, but we cannot perform like this at home,” said Impact head coach Mauro Biello. “We started off well and we were able to score early. We let them back in the game and we did not defend well. It’s very tough to win at home when you concede three goals.”
Good start for Impact
In the 9th minute, in front of the box, Anthony Jackson-Hamel beat his marker with a nice piece of skill before giving the ball to Blerim Dzemaili, inside the area. He played a one-two with Nacho Piatti and tried to shoot but miscued the ball, which fell nicely for Patrice Bernier at the far post. The captain dispatched his half-volley convincingly past Bobby Shuttleworth.
Two minutes later, Montreal benefited from a penalty given after the play was reviewed, as the ball was handled in the box by Jérôme Thiesson following a cross by Daniel Lovitz. Piatti shot powerfully to Shuttleworth’s right, who made the save.
Visitors come back in the game
In the 19th minute, Minnesota United FC had a penalty of its own, also because of a handball in the area. Kevin Molino was the taker and he sent the ball powerfully in the middle of the goal.
After the break, in the 55th minute, Piatti recovered the ball in the opposition’s box. The Argentine played the ball back for Lovitz who crossed towards the far post, where Michael Salazar flicked with his head towards Dzemaili; the midfielder scored with a half-volley in the lower right corner.
At the hour mark, a free kick for the Minnesotans allowed them to equalize. Ibson, at the far post, brought the ball back to the first post for Christian Ramirez, alone, two metres out. He redirected the ball with his head behind Evan Bush.
The Bleu-blanc-noir pushed hard to find the advantage again. Ballou Tabla, entering the game for Salazar, had two chances to shoot with his left foot, but both were off target, and Samuel Piette also tried his luck from far out, but did not find the frame. Jackson-Hamel too had an opportunity created by Andrés Romero, but his snapshot was blocked.
In the 89th minute, Minnesota United FC struck one time too many. Ethan Finlay, on the left flank, passed to Abu Danladi. The Ghanaian striker beat his defender and unleashed a powerful shot in the top corner to score the winning goal.
Upcoming games
The Montreal Impact will continue this clogged sequence with a trip to the Queen City to face Toronto FC at BMO Field, on Wednesday, September 20, at 7:30pm (TVA Sports, TSN, 985fmsports.ca, CJAD 800), before entering the Mercedes-Benz Stadium for the first time for a crucial meeting with Atlanta United FC, on Sunday, September 24, at 5pm (TVA Sports, 98,5fm, CJAD 800).
LINEUPS
MTL – GK-Evan Bush; D-Hassoun Camara, Laurent Ciman, Victor Cabrera, Dan Lovitz; M-Samuel Piette, Patrice Bernier (Andrés Romero 72’), Blerim Dzemaili, Michael Salazar (Ballou Tabla 65’), Ignacio Piatti; F-Anthony Jackson-Hamel
Subs not used – Maxime Crépeau, Chris Duvall, Deian Boldor, Marco Donadel, Hernan Bernardello
MIN – GK-Bobby Shuttleworth; D-Jérôme Thiesson, Michael Boxall, Francisco Calvo, Marc Burch; M-Collin Martin (Collen Warner 77’), Ibson, Ethan Finlay, Kevin Molino, Miguel Ibarra (Sam Nicholson 83’); F-Christian Ramirez(Abu Danladi 65’)
Subs not used – Patrick McLain, Brent Kallman, Johan Venegas, José Leiton
GOALS
MTL – Bernier (Dzemaili) 9’
MIN – Molino (PEN) 20’
MTL – Dzemaili (Salazar, Lovitz) 55’
MIN – Ramirez (Ibson) 60’
MIN – Danladi (Finlay) 89’
CAUTIONS
MIN – Martin 2’
MTL – Dzemaili 53’
MTL – Piette 62’
MTL – Cabrera 90’+3’
