What was expected to be a tough game between 2 teams that disliked each other will probably create a true rivalry. Throughout the week, Dynamo players continued to mention their 4-2 loss to the Impact at Stade Saputo as a constant motivation. The Orange Crush have their own fortress called BBVA Compass Stadium and continued a perfect record at home: 7-0-3 in 2012.
Jesse Marsch made some choices that made the twitter-sphere (fans and media alike) question the fact that he did not go back to his 4-2-3-1 as he benched Patrice Bernier. Like last game against the New England Revolution, Bernier-Felipe-Warner were on the pitch to start the game as Warner was not a starter at the mid-week game. I am not a fan of questioning coaching choices as much as part of the winning formula was playing all 3 players together. But, the absence of that trio and Justin Mapp (did not start the game) was felt during the 1st half.
At the end, Jesse Marsch know his squad better than anyone else and it was expected to see some rotation with 14 games in the month of July. Many will question the timing of these rotations in tight playoff race but Marsch has done enough good moves to give him some leeway.
Quotes and Stats and more after the jump
Highlights
Shavar Thomas : MLS Save Of The Week
Related: Code Blue: Impact Playoff Chances On Life Support | Follow Mount Royal Soccer on Twitter 
Scoring Summary
HOU 7' : Macoumba Kandji (Will Bruin, Calen Carr)
HOU 84' : Bobby Boswell (Brad Davis)
HOU 89' : Macoumba Kandji (Brad Davis)
Houston Dynamo: Tally Hall - Corey Ashe , Jermaine Taylor , Bobby Boswell , Andre Hainault - Oscar Boniek Garcia , Warren Creavalle , Luiz Camargo - Macoumba Kandji , Will Bruin , Calen Carr
Montreal Impact: GK- Donovan Ricketts; D - Dennis Iapichino, Shavar Thomas, Hassoun Camara, Zarek Valentin (Karl W. Ouimette 26'); M - Sanna Nyassi, Felipe, Collen Warner, Lamar Neagle (Justin Mapp 74') F - Davy Arnaud, Marco Di Vaio (Patrice Bernier 61')
Subs not used: GK - Evan Bush; D - Josh Gardner; M - Sinisa Ubiparipovic, F - Eduardo Sebrango
Disciplinary Summary:
Montreal: Shavar Thomas (67') , Dennis Iapichino (74') both yellow cards
Houston: Macoumba Kandji (90') yellow card
Game Stats
| Houston Dynamo | Montreal Impact | |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Attempts on Goal | 8 |
| 5 | Shots on Target | 2 |
| 2 | Shots off Target | 4 |
| 1 | Blocked Shots | 2 |
| 3 | Corner Kicks | 5 |
| 12 | Fouls | 17 |
| 14 | Open Play Crosses | 17 |
| 3 | Offsides | 5 |
| 1 | First Yellow Cards | 2 |
| 0 | Second Yellow Cards | 0 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 |
| 59 | Duels Won | 53 |
| 52% | Duels Won % | 47% |
| 453 | Total Pass | 313 |
| 84% | Passing Accuracy % | 78% |
| 58.30% | Possession | 41.70% |
Post-Game Comments
Jesse Marsch, Montreal Impact head coach
We played against a good team in a really tough place to play. It hurts giving up the first goal because we were the better team in the first six minutes. The way we pushed the game in the second half up until their second goal was very good and showed a lot of character. I think we are a bit unlucky to come out of this game without a point.
Shavar Thomas, Montreal Impact defender
At the moment we are not consistent. In most of the games that we've lost, we were in it for 80-85 minutes and then we make a mistake or give up a bad goal. We're going to pull through. We're learning very quickly and in the end, it will come for us.
Karl W. Ouimette, Montreal Impact defender and Home Grown Player
I've waited for this moment for a long time. I gave everything on the field today. I think I was able to defend well and to control the ball. I was able to quickly adjust to my position.