Montreal Impact loses 2-1 in a crushing defeat against Sporting Kansas City

The Montreal Impact had yet another good performance as the club seemed to have found its stride after the MLS World Cup break. But the 2-1 loss to the hands of Sporting Kansas City has dampened the moral of a team that is playing better but unable to show for it in the standings.

After conceding a goal in the first minutes of the game, Klopas's men did not just roll over and die. They showed commitment, desperation and intensity to really make the MLS Cup Champion doubt.

Montreal concedes off a header when Dom Dwyer rises above everyone and gives KC a 1-0 lead in the 4th minute. Matt Besler delivers one of his trademark long-range throw-in yet again on that goal.

After being dominated for the first 20 minutes of the game, the Impact came back into the game with counter-attacks and quick breaks as it was able to make doubt a good KC defensive line. Patrice Bernier crosses a ball into the box that finds Justin Mapp. He smartly heads the ball towards Di Vaio who heads it into the far corner and ties the game.

The game was intense and quite physical with 5 yellow cards in total but it was a good spectacle for the soccer fan that saw two teams going at it. Though, the visitors were more dominant and better than the bleu-blanc-noir but it does not take away from a good performance by the home team.

Unfortunately, a miscommunication between Heath Pearce and Troy Perkins gifted the winning goal to Dom Dwyer who scores a brace. Both Impact players were hesitant on whom should play  a ball. Perkins' clearance was rushed and found Dwyer's feet that did not need help. He scores in an empty net in what was probably his easiest goal.

Frank Klopas' post-game reaction during the press conference summed up the feelings about  the bad luck surrounding the club and lacklustre performances due to mental lapses.

When you give up goals like that at the end of a game, twice now, it's hard to accept. I thought we deserved a point in a solid performance, despite a first half where we forced the ball a little too much. We had good moments, but I feel for the guys. -- Klopas

The Impact's next game is against the Columbus Crew on July 19th at Crew Stadium. It would be an understatement to state that Montreal desperately needs a win if it wants to keep its hopes for a playoff berth alive.

Lineups

MTL - GK-Troy Perkins; D-Hassoun Camara, Matteo Ferrari, Heath Pearce, Krzysztof Krol; M-Andrés Romero, Patrice Bernier, Felipe (Gorka Larrea 71'), Andrés Romero (Issey Nakajima-Farran 67'); Justin Mapp; F-Jack McInerney (Calum Mallace 87'), Marco Di Vaio

Subs not used: GK-Evan Bush; D- Karl W. Ouimette, Futty Danso; F-Santiago Gonzalez

KC - GK-Andy Gruenebaum; D-Igor Juliao, Aurélien Collin; Matt Besler, Seth Sinovic; M-Benny Feilhaber, Jacob Peterson (Soony Saad 76'), Lawrence Olum; F-Dom Dwyer, Graham Zusi, Toni Dovale (C.J. Sapong, 76')

Subs not used: GK-Jon Kemplin; D-Kevin Ellis; M-Mikey Lopez, Sal Zizzo; F-Claudio Bieler

Goals

KC - Dwyer (Besler) 4'

MTL - Di Vaio (Mapp, Bernier) 28'

KC - Dwyer 89'

Cautions

MTL - Felipe 31'

KC - Sinovic 32'
MTL - Romero 41'
MTL - Krol 64'
MTL - Di Vaio 90+2'