Recap: Canadian Championship Montreal Impact vs. Vancouver Whitecaps FC

After undoubtedly one of the poorest 45 minutes Impact fans have ever seen their team play in a long time, the Impact came back in the second to try and salvage some of the game. Looking over the performance of the players, some were keys to the good and others were, unfortunately, to blame for the bad.

As defined by one fan on Twitter Philippe Bédard “Formation “trou de beigne” rien au milieu!” or donut formation nothing in the middle. With no decisive plays being formed through the middle of the field, the Impact had little to no offensive threat.

The Whitecaps seized the opportunity of penetrable midfield twice. The first goal came when the Impact was drawn to the right side of the field. Leaving the 16-year-old, Alphonso Davies, alone in front of keeper Crépeau who did what he could.

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The following goal came when Alphonso Davies weaved his way through the Impact defense, notably leaving Bernadello flat-footed and the ball at Nicolás Mezquida’s feet who had a straight shot to the net.

Coming into the second half completely dominated by the Whitecaps, the Impact made some very key changes early on. Those changes impacted the only Impact goal with Jackson-Hamel tipping a deep ball from Lovitz to the feet of Choinière who took a confident and well-placed shot.

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The Impact created many more chances in the second half of the game. Duvall took a long shot that hit the post and rebounded towards Jackson-Hamel who could not gain enough control of the bouncing ball to direct it into the net.

Soon after Ballou ran down the left side of the field destabilizing the defense of the Whitecaps and getting the penalty call after a blatant handball. Bernier’s penalty shot was unfortunately saved by keeper Richey.

The Impact kept the pressure on for the remainder of the game but was unable to find the equalizer. Looking back at their performance the first half was one to forget and the second was one to build off of. The must win game for the Impact is Tuesday, May 30th at Stade Saputo.

3 observations

· Midfield disaster: In the first half the Impact was unable to build through the middle and they were unable to support the team defensive as well. Luckily in the second half, Bernier was brought into the game stabilizing the middle.

· Choinière promising future: Choinière was finally able to play a full 90 and build himself a profile. Nerves may have been a factor in the first half but he came through in the second with a strong goal and some solid footwork.

· O Captain! My captain! Patrice Bernier, what more can I say! He had an instant effect the moment he set foot on the field; directing players, creating offense and controlling the play to calm it down.

Lineups

MTL – GK-Maxime Crépeau; D-Daniel Lovitz, Laurent Ciman, Hassoun Camara (Wandrille Lefèvre, 77’), Chris Duvall; M-Hernán Bernardello, Adrián Arregui (Anthony Jackson-Hamel, 55’), Calum Mallace (Patrice Bernier, 55’); F-David Choinière, Dominic Oduro, Ballou Tabla.

Subs not used: Eric Kronberg, Shamit Shome, Michael Salazar, Nick DePuy.

VAN – GK-Spencer Richey; D-Marcel de Jong, Sem de Wit, Cole Seiler; M-Alphonso Davies (Deklan Wynne, 71’), Russell Teibert, Ben McKendry, Jakob Nerwinski; F-Nicolás Mezquida (Marco Bustos, 71’), Mauro Rosales (Kyle Greig, 80’); Brek Shea.

Subs not used: Sean Melvin, Matthew Baldisimo, David Norman, Gloire Amanda.

GOALS

VAN – Davies 13’(Mezquida, Shea)

VAN – Mezquida 33’ (Davies)

MTL – Choinière 62’ (Jackson-Hamel, Lovitz)