Defenders Rod Fanni and Bacary Sagna score first Impact goals in first half
MONTREAL - The Montreal Impact defeated the top team in the league on Saturday night, beating the New York Red Bulls 3-0 at Stade Saputo. Defenders Rod Fanni and Bacary Sagna both scored for the Bleu-blanc-noir in the first half, while Nacho Piatti sealed the win in second-half stoppage time with his 13th of the season.
“We knew they had a direct game, and we anticipated the balls they played in deep,” said head coach Rémi Garde. “We were always first on the ball. What I really liked is that we contained their offensive waves. We were disciplined and rigorous. I loved that resistance, and I felt the solidarity tonight.”
The Impact has now earned four straight clean sheets against the Red Bulls in Montreal and has gone 398 minutes without allowing a goal against the New York team at home. With the win, the Impact also solidifies its position in the sixth and last playoff spot in the East with six games remaining in the regular season.
Opportunistic on set pieces
The Impact took its chances off set pieces in the first half and earned itself its first corner after some nice work from Nacho Piatti on the right flank in the 30th minute. Saphir Taïder’s ensuing cross was met by centre back Rod Fanni, whose header hit the post before beating goalkeeper Luis Robles, giving the home team the lead.
“Our plan was to let them play and then hit them on the counter-attack,” said defender Rod Fanni. “The goal helped us, because it forced them to open up a little more and attack us. It opened up more space for our counters and we could’ve scored more goals I think. I’m very happy.”
Then, in the 38th minute, the Red Bulls were in trouble again from a set piece, committing a foul in their final third to Robles’ left. Daniel Lovitz’s ensuing cross was met at the far post by centre back Jukka Raitala. The Finnish defender deflected it back across the six-yard box for an unmarked Bacary Sagna, who headed it past Robles from a few inches away to double Montreal’s advantage.
The goal was Sagna’s first with the Impact, and the fourth by an Impact defender in the last four games.
Montreal came close to getting a third before the end of the half, when Lovitz ran with the ball all the way to the opposing touchline before cutting it back for Nacho Piatti, but the Argentine’s one-time attempt sailed just over the bar.
All Impact in the second
The Bleu-blanc-noir started the second half much like it ended the first, taking the game to the New York Red Bulls. Two minutes into the second, Nacho Piatti grabbed whole of the ball in midfield and made his way to the 18-yard box, dribbling past a few defenders before laying it off to Silva, in all alone in front of Robles, but the New York goalkeeper was able to make a spectacular save.
In the 54th minute, Silva found himself again alone in front of Robles after some neat passing in New York’s final third, orchestrated by Nacho Piatti, but his shot flew over the target.
The Impact thought it scored a third goal in the 75th minute when Nacho Piatti found the back of the net after Taïder’s shot hit the post, but after further consultation with the VAR, referee Jair Marrufo disallowed the goal because the Argentine was offside.
But in stoppage time, the Impact sealed the deal. Nacho Piatti passed to Silva, who waited before finding Piatti again between two defenders. Alone in front of Robles, the Argentine picked his spot and slotted it past the goalkeeper to make it 3-0.
Samuel Piette tied a club record in the first and second divisions with his 28th consecutive start. Evan Bush, on his end, ties a record with his sixth shutout at Stade Saputo this year, which comes in his 50th MLS regular season win with the Bleu-blanc-noir.
“Everyone is important,” said midfielder Saphir Taïder. “Tonight, we got two goals from defenders. We need everyone because we are all useful. If we want to go as far as possible, everyone needs to bring their best, and tonight, it was the defenders.”
Upcoming games
After the international break, the Impact will travel to Pennsylvania to face the Philadelphia Union, also battling for a playoff spot, on Saturday, September 15, at 7:30pm (TVA Sports, 98,5fm). The following week, the Bleu-blanc-noir will be back in Montreal to face New York City FC at Stade Saputo on Saturday, September 22, at 7:30pm (TVA Sports).
LINE-UPS
MTL – GK-Evan Bush; Bacary Sagna, Rod Fanni, Jukka Raitala, Daniel Lovitz; M-Samuel Piette, Micheal Azira, Saphir Taïder; F-Alejandro Silva, Quincy Amarikwa (Matteo Mancosu 78’), Ignacio Piatti
Subs not used – Clément Diop, Rudy Camacho, Chris Duvall, Shamit Shome, Ken Krolicki, Jeisson Vargas
RBNY – GK-Luis Robles; D-Aaron Long, Connor Lade (Michael Murillo 58’), Fidel Escobar, Kemar Lawrence; M- Alejandro Romero Gamarra, Daniel Royer, Derrick Etienne (Alex Muyl 67’), Marc Rzatkowski, Sean Davis (Brian White 62’); F-Bradley Wright-Phillips
Subs not used – Ryan Meara, Tim Parker, Cristian Cásseres Jr, Andreas Ivan
GOALS
MTL – Fanni (Taïder) 30’
MTL – Sagna (Raitala, Lovitz) 38’
MTL – Piatti (Silva) 90’+3’
