No reward for Impact after a good defensive performance
The Montreal Impact presented a different side of itself on Saturday afternoon in Atlanta. For 70 minutes, Montreal successfully absorbed the pressure from Tata Martino’s team and came close to being rewarded. After Saphir Taïder’s first MLS goal, the Impact had the two best scoring chances, off Jeisson Vargas’ free-kick and Alejandro Silva’s breakaway; the first was whiskers off target, and the second was robbed by Brad Guzan. But on the road, the biggest scoring chances need to be put away, because there certainly aren’t a ton. And although the final score seems harsh, the Impact limited Atlanta’s chances over the course of the game, who eventually needed a penalty and two free-kick goals to come out with the result. Here are your advanced stats.
Impact’s defense
20 shots allowed, seven on target and four blocked, 27.1% possession, 31 clearances, 12 interceptions, 5 tackles won.
Saphir Taïder
1 goal, two shots, 26 successful passes, 10 of those in the final third, for an 84% success rate, 1 chance created, 3 dribbles completed, 10 duels won for a 59% success rate, 1 clearance.
Samuel Piette
17 successful passes, three of those in the final third, for a 77% success rate, 3 interceptions, 1 block, 3 clearances.
