/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/55200387/usa_today_10102494.0.jpg)
The Montreal Impact marched into Kansas City with a full head of steam and a very depleted roster. The Impact had won their last three matches but for this game in Kansas, they were missing many key players to international duty such as Blerim Dzemaili, Laurent Ciman and Patrice Bernier. Despite their threadbare roster, the Impact were able to fight to a 1-1 tie in Kansas. While a 1-1 draw may not be the sexiest of results, the Impact should be thrilled that they left the daunting home of the leaders of the western conference with a point.
Here are my player ratings for the Impact’s 1-1 draw versus SKC.
Evan Bush: Bush made numerous impressive saves to keep the score line close and to give the Impact a chance at a draw. On the one goal he conceded, he was not at fault. The ball was expertly placed into the side netting and the Ohio native didn’t stand a chance of getting a hand on it. Performance Rating: 9/10
Daniel Lovitz: Lovitz was very solid on the defensive end of the ball and was able to shut down most attacks coming down his flank. However, he did not contribute as much offensively as you would like your wing-backs to do. Performance Rating: 7.5/10
Kyle Fisher: Despite missing his tackle in the lead up to SKC’s goal, the American defender had a very strong showing in Kansas. In fact, Fisher racked up an impressive 2 interceptions, 2 tackles 5 recoveries and 7 clearances. Performance Rating: 8/10
Hassoun Camara: The lanky Frenchman lined up in the middle of our back three and was supposed to lead that back line. Sadly, Camara was not quite up to the task. His distribution was not accurate enough and his tackles not clinical enough. Performance Rating: 6/10
Victor Cabrera: Cabrera did not impress any more than Camara. Like his French teammate, the Argentinian’s distribution was poor and he recklessly rushed into tackles. Performance Rating: 5.5/10
Chris Duvall: While Duvall was more implicated in the attack than Lovitz, I still believe that the wing-backs in a 3-4-3 should be pressing higher up the pitch. On the defensive end up things, Duvall was not as implicated as he should have been. Performance Rating: 6.5/10
Callum Mallace: For all the Mallace haters out there, Satruday’s performance helped prove their point. Mallace struggled in his job of redistributing the ball and on the defensive end of things, Mallace was unable to help out his back line. Performance Rating: 5/10
Marco Donadel: It was interesting to see Donadel playing in a bit more of an offensive role. I quite liked the way he rushed up from his deeper holding position to pressure the ball carrier. He was also a pivotal point of our transition from defence to attack. Performance Rating: 8.5/10
Ignacio Piatti: On an individual level, Piatti was once again dominant on Saturday. He finished the match with 7 recoveries and 3 successful dribbles. However, he also failed to bring his teammates into the play. Often, it would have been wise to pass the ball towards Dominic Oduro, but he preferred to go for the spectacular. Performance Rating: 8/10
Dominic Oduro: The speedy Ghanaian had an up and down game. He went through spells during which he barely touched the ball and others during which he was constantly darting behind SKC’s back line and making a real nuisance of himself to their defenders. I would love to see a more consistent performance from Oduro. Performance Rating: 7/10
Nick Depuy: The American striker’s main attribute is his height. Sadly, on Saturday, he seemed timid when he went into aerial battles, he did not use his 6’5” frame to it’s full potential. Furthermore, when he found himself in a dangerous position, it looked like he got tangled up in his own legs and could not redirect the ball into the back of the net. Performance Rating: 4.5/10
As I said before, I am quite content with the result that the Impact managed to obtain away from home in one of the most hostile stadiums in the league. The Impact will face another very tough task next week when they voyage to Orlando to take on the Lions. Hopefully, the Impact can keep this undefeated streak alive versus former IMFC man Donny Toia and his Orlando teammates.