PORTLAND, Oregon – The Montreal Impact continued to improve its fate in this busy month of July, as the team took a road point in a 2-2 draw with the Timbers, at the Providence Park, in Portland.
With this point and a record of seven wins, two losses and a draw in its last 10 games, the Bleu-blanc-noir sits now in fifth place in the Eastern Conference.
“It was a crazy game, but a very good game, in which both teams came to play,” said Impact head coach Rémi Garde, who was expelled from the game in the 67th minute, after the hosts had found a controversial equalizer. “Maybe it was our best road game this season against a team unbeaten in its last 14 games. The task at hand was a tough one, but the game plan was applied with discipline. There was tremendous solidarity on the pitch and nothing was left to luck in our play today. I was surprised to finish the game in the stands, as I was not pointing fingers. My English probably is not good enough and the assistant referee might have thought I was speaking to him.”
First 45: advantage IMFC
An energetic first half from both sides saw three goals being scored, with the Impact bringing a one-goal lead in the locker rooms at the break.
In the 23rd minute, Alejandro Silva dribbled past two Timbers players before finding Saphir Taïder, who beat goalkeeper Jeff Attinella with a low shot to his right from the top of the box. Silva recorded a fifth assist in his last seven games.
In the 39th minute, Portland striker Samuel Armenteros brought his team back on level terms by taking advantage of a dropped ball by Evan Bush.
But less than two minutes later, Matteo Mancosu chested down a long, precise pass by Nacho Piatti, before shooting with his left foot on the following touch, beating the Timbers ‘keeper once again to his right. Piatti thus got his ninth assist this term, and a 30th in his MLS career.
Second 45: Portland comes back
After seeing the visitors being on the front foot in the first 45 minutes, the Timbers came back from the break with conviction.
Despite all the pressure put on Montreal, Silva came close to doubling his team’s lead when his chipped effort just missed the target at the hour mark.
Then, in the 65th minute, Diego Valeri impeded Bush in his small box and scored the equalizer with a header, without seeing a foul being called.
Bush then saved his team in the 78th minute, preventing the Timbers to get a winning goal. He finished the game with seven saves.
“I would have preferred to win the game, but it’s a good road point,” said goalkeeper Evan Bush. “I am proud of this group. We did not abandon after the two goals we conceded.”
Rod Fanni was back in Rémi Garde’s starting line-up, as Shamit Shome took Ken Krolicki’s place in midfield. Centre-back Rudy Camacho was subbed off for Víctor Cabrera in the 36th minute.
Upcoming games
The Impact will travel north on the West Coast, coming back to Canada after this game for the second leg of the Canadian Championship semifinals against Vancouver Whitecaps FC, on Wednesday, July 25, at 10pm EDT at BC Place (canadasoccer.com, Yahoo Sports Canada, 98,5fm), holding a 1-0 lead in the series. Then, the Bleu-blanc-noir will have a nice challenge at Stade Saputo, when one of the East’s best teams, Atlanta United FC, visits on Saturday, July 28 at 7pm (TICKETS – TVA Sports, 98,5fm, TSN Radio 690).
LINE-UPS
MTL – GK-Evan Bush; D-Jukka Raitala, Rudy Camacho (Victor Cabrera 36’), Rod Fanni, Daniel Lovitz; M-Samuel Piette, Shamit Shome (Mathieu Choinière 89’), Saphir Taider; F-Ignacio Piatti, Matteo Mancosu, Alejandro Silva (Michael Petrasso 86’)
Subs not used – Clément Diop, Michael Salazar, Ken Krolicki, Jeisson Vargas
POR – GK-Jeff Attinella; D-Alvas Powell, Julio Cascante, Larrys Mabiala, Zarek Valentin; M-Andrés Flores, Cristhian Paredes (Andy Polo 68’), Diego Valeri, Lawrence Olum, Sebastián Blanco (Dairon Asprilla 87’); F-Samuel Armenteros
Subst not used – Jake Gleeson, Vytautas Andriuskevicius, Bill Tuiloma, David Guzmán, Jeremy Ebobisse
GOALS
MTL – Taïder (Silva) 23’
POR – Armentaros 39’
MTL – Mancosu (Piatti) 41’
POR – Valeri 65’
CAUTION
MTL – Piette 19’
