Impact vs. Whitecaps Postgame

The Montreal Impact dropped all 3 points this afternoon at Stade Saputo, keeping them at 1 win in 8 matches. The Vancouver Whitecaps, on the other hand, got their first win on the road in 2017.

The drama started in the 4th minute, when Mancosu went off with an apparent injury, making way for in-form homegrown striker Anthony Jackson-Hamel, who entered the game with 3 goals in his last 2 games.

In the 8th minute, a turnover in midfield on Vancouver’s end allowed for Duvall to play Tabla in yards of space, who then found Bernier at the top of the box, he then quickly turned to find Piatti who miss-controlled the pass from the captain so Whitecaps defender Sheanon Williams cleared it, but only as far as Donadel who took it upon himself to drill it to the far bottom corner. He did just that to give the Impact their earliest lead of the season.

Bernardello and Donadel had their work cut out for them, as Toni Tchani pressed high against the two Impact midfielders consistently the whole game, which made room for Vancouver’s midfielders Laba and Jacobsen.

In the 29th minute, a free kick from Freddy Montero found its way into the box, Ciman cleared it but only as far as California native Andrew Jacobsen who clinically lobbed it passed a sprawling Evan Bush from outside the box to tie the game at 1 a piece.

After Jacobsen’s goal, the Impact went into a shell from then on. A flurry of unsuccessful long balls and a lack of possession in positive areas of the field got Carl Robinson and his men to believe they could snatch all 3 points on the road.

That eventually happened, as Jacobsen found room in the 79th minute due to Bernardello haven been subbed off for an attack-minded switch, the ball through to Techera had also caught Oyongo too high up the pitch, leaving the Uruguayan in alone with Ciman who got fooled by Techera’s cut back leaving him in on Evan Bush who could do nothing as Techera slotted it in to give his team what led to be the game-winner.

From there on, the Impact turned it up a bit yet came up empty-handed. This loss will surely have Saputo and the front office asking questions, as I’m sure the fans are doing as well.

The Impact hit the road again next week, as they visit D.C. United. While the Whitecaps head to the Mile High City to face the Rapids.