Impact Finally Solve New York City FC

On Saturday afternoon the Montreal Impact finally cracked the puzzle that had been New York City FC, winning 3-2. The Impact had lost the two previous meetings against NYCFC this season. Montreal had dropped a 3-1 result mid-June and 2-1 result at the start of July. Ignacio Piatti scored two goals against the team from the Big Apple lifting the Impact to the three points. The victory marks the second road victory for the Impact this season and leaves them in sixth place in the Eastern Conference and the final playoff position.

Freaky Fast Start:

“On my goal, Ciman’s ball over the top to me was unbelievable. I just had to finish it.” - Dominic Oduro

The Impact came out of the gate hungry for goals and it payed off. In the 5th-minute Dominic Oduro was put in alone after a beautiful pass from all-star defender Laurent Ciman. Oduro made no mistake giving the Impact a 1-0 lead and silencing the crowd at Yankee Stadium. Montreal continued to attack the NYCFC net and the positive play payed off again in the 32nd-minute as Piatti cheekily chipped the New York keeper Josh Saunders giving the Impact a rare 2-0 advantage on the road. Although the Bleu-Blanc-Noir dominated the first half New York almost brought one back before the half through David Villa, however the Spanish striker was ruled offside. The first 45-minutes were easily the best the Impact had played on the road in MLS up to this point in the season.

Boys in Blue Fight Back:

"We came here and beat a really good team" - Frank Klopas

Although the Impact dominated the first half, the second half was never going to be easy. As witnessed over the last few weeks NYCFC games are never dull and there are never a shortage of goals. In the 59th-minute Jason Kreis brought on both Mix Diskerud and Kwadwo Poku to try and change the flow of the game. The move seemed to give the team from New York some life and in the 68th-minute David Villa converted a well placed penalty. As the expansion team pushed forward it opened up some space in the back allowing Montreal to counter-attack. In the 84th-minute another questionable penalty was awarded to the Impact after Ignacio Piatti was brought down in the box by keeper Josh Saunders. Piatti stepped up confidently and put the game out of reach (or so it seemed).

Never Easy:

“We got a lot of chances on the break and missed some opportunities, but we were strong enough to hold on and win the game” - Evan Bush

Straight off the restart NYCFC hit back to make it a one goal game again in the 85th-minute through Thomas McNamara. Questionable marking by Nigel Reo-Coker and the direct attack on goal appeared to catch the Impact off guard bringing the match back to within reach for New York City. However NYCFC seemed to run out of gas after their second goal and Villa could only manage a few long range strikes which Montreal keeper Evan Bush was able to handle with relative ease. Even Frank Lampard who made his mark with Manchester City last season coming off the bench was not enough for NYCFC to grab the point.

Whats Next?

Great road win today in the Big ! Now back to MTL for three in a row!

— Evan Bush (@ebushel1) August 1, 2015

There is no rest for the weary as Montreal is forced back into action on Wednesday night against the other team from New York, the Red Bulls. One thing is for certain, as midfielder Marco Donadel will not be taking part in the match as he has accumulated enough yellow cards to pick up a one match suspension. His suspension could open up the opportunity for Reo-Coker or Bernier to get back into the starting lineup. With the short week, and another match coming up next Saturday Frank Klopas must rotate the squad. Although the Drogba signing was made official this week and Venegas appears to be signing soon, both players may still be a few weeks away from featuring in the lineup.

Game Statistics and Quotes Courtesy of the Montreal Impact:

LINEUPS

MTL – GK-Evan Bush; D-Ambroise Oyongo, Laurent Ciman, Victor Cabrera, Donny Toia; M-Calum Mallace (Nigel Reo-Coker 69’) , Marco Donadel, Dilly Duka (Eric Alexander 79’), Ignacio Piatti, Andrés Romero (Maxim Tissot 86’); F-Dominic Oduro
Unused subs: GK-Eric Kronberg; D-Wandrille Lefèvre, M-Patrice Bernier; F-Jack McInerney

NYC – GK-Josh Saunders; D-Andoni Iraola, Angelino, Jason Hernandez, Jefferson Mena; M-Andrea Pirlo, Andrew Jacobson (Frank Lampard 69’), Javier Calle (Mix Diskerud 59’), Ned Grabavoy (Kwadwo Poku 59’), Thomas McNamara; F-David Villa
Unused subs: GK-Eirik Johanson; D-Shay Facey, RJ Allen; F-Patrick Mullins

GOALS

MTL – Oduro (Ciman) 5’
MTL – Piatti (Romero) 32’
NYC – Villa (PK) 68’
MTL – Piatti (PK) 84’
NYC – McNamara (Angelino, Villa) 85’

CAUTIONS
NYC – Calle 22’
NYC – Mena 43’
MTL – Donadel 45+1’
NYC – Hernandez 53’
MTL – Romero 75’