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The Montreal Impact arrived in New York Saturday night to face a New York Red Bulls side hanging on to the last playoff spot in the East. The Impact had finally strung some wins together ahead of this game and they were going for three straight victories in New York.
These two teams will see a lot of each other in the next few weeks, so both were likely looking to start the series strong. The teams will be seeing each other twice in the Champions League as they are in the same group along with C.D. Fas. The Impact’s most recent win was against the El Salvadoran team in a five-goal thriller.
"We've been building a lot of confidence over the last couple of weeks," said goalkeeper Evan Bush. "We've put together some good performances and showed a lot of character."
Di Vaio scored two goals in his previous game and had four goals in his last four games. After a difficult start to the season, the Italian who was one of the highest scorers in the league last season seems to be back on form, precisely when the Impact have needed him most.
"I feel good," added Di Vaio. "The beginning of the season was tough for me with a suspension and then the injury, but the last couple of months I feel better."
The Italian, however, started this one on the bench, after starting the past two games. Considering that this is the Impact’s third game in a week, it was probably a good idea to give Mclnerney some playing time.
The Opening 45
New York got the first opportunity in the 7th minute after a good spell of possession from the Impact. A great run by Sam down the left side ad in the box went straight to Wright-Phillips, who fanned on the shot, putting in Cahill’s legs. His shot was nicely blocked by Ferrari.
On the ensuing corner, Bush saved Wright-Phillips’ hard header to the bottom corner. Wright-Phillips is the leading scorer in the MLS this season so far with 18 goals, and he had two great opportunities to make it 19 and 20.
The rhythm of the game switched and the Red Bull had some great opportunities to open the scoring. A mishap by Evan Bush near the corner flag almost gave the Red Bull an open net opportunity by Cahill’s ensuing cross was a bad one.
The Impact managed to neutralize New York’s pressure and calm down the game, getting some offensive possession as well. Piatti managed to breakthrough halfway through the first, but help was late and he was dispossessed.
Duka was having a good start to this game, using his speed to make dangerous runs into New York territory. In the 37th, he was rewarded. The Impact was in transition when Mallace sent a fantastic ball deep to Duka on the left side. Duka used his speed to enter the box, stop in front of the defender, and hit a shot near side that beat Robles.
A beautiful goal for Duka and his first for the Impact. Another good start for the Impact, especially considering the week they’ve had. Credit should be given to the back four, who managed to sustain Thierry Henry and the New York offense thus far.
The half ended with the Impact leading the score 1-0 after that nice goal by Duka. The Impact have a strong bench for the second half with the likes of Di Vaio and Bernier waiting to come on.
The Second Half
New York started the half strong. Wright-Phillips managed to get his head on a cross in the 51st minute, but his effort went off the post. The play was called offside anyway. Wright-Phillips, for those who see a familiarity in his name, is the brother of Premier League footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips, who currently plays for QPR in the EPL.
Just two minutes later in the 53rd, Henry did what he does best. The Frenchmen received a cross from Alexander, managing to get a dicing header and slotting the ball past Bush for the equalizer. A touch of class from Henry as we’ve seen so often before, and the game was tied once again.
Piatti almost answered in the 56th. Given space outside of the box, the Argentinean went for a shot that went just wide past Robles. On the ensuing goal kick, Thierry broke through again but his low cross was blocked.
Henry was at it again with a good opportunity off a set piece near the top left corner of the Impact box. His ensuing ball floated and was headed by Wright-Phillips, but Bush saved it easily.
Wright-Phillips had another good opportunity two minutes later on a volley in a good position, but he put it high. In his defense, he was on the run and it would’ve taken something special to beat Bush.
However, New York’s pressure paid off in the 67th minute, and who else than Thierry Henry to produce something special and put his team in front. As New York was slowly inching their way closer and closer to the goal, Henry received the ball just inside the box, and slotted the ball with his favorite right foot past Bush to put New York up by one.
A very disappointing goal for the Impact, who was now stuck chasing the game. Henry’s shot, although precise, was a weak one, and Bush should’ve put a stronger hand on that one.
The Red Bull kept coming, and scored again just a few minutes later in the 74th minute. Wright-Phillips, who has had countless opportunities tonight, score his 19th goal of the season. A nice pass from Henry, who was all over the Impact, found Phillips who had nothing to do but one-time it past Bush and into the net. The Impact now needed to find two goals in the next 15 minutes.
Henry’s superior talent and world class stature was really put on display in the second half. The French player was all over the pitch, sometimes going all the way to the back four, finding space, and creating an offensive opportunity with his perfectly weighted balls to his midfield. The Impact was having a very hard time containing him.
But the Impact wasn’t done just yet. In the 79th minute Lefevre found Romero on the left. The Argentinean quickly ran down the line, cutting in and making his way towards the middle near the box. He then went for a left-footed shot, and the ball curled beautifully into the corner just past Robles. Just when we were counting them out, the Impact now had a fighting chance with 10 minutes left.
But the Impact’s effort fell short in stoppage time when Wright-Phillips got his second goal of the game. As the Impact were putting all there men up, a good counter from New York ended with Wright-Phillips in the box, getting a touch and putting the ball past Bush.
The referee blew the whistle and the Impact’s two-game winning streak came to an end. Still, the bleu-blanc-noir put in a good effort tonight and fought until the last whistle. For Klopas, that can be the silver lining as he and the Impact head home to face the Columbus Crew next Saturday at Saputo Stadium.
Man of the Match
Dilly Duka
Duka has been quiet since arriving in Montreal, but tonight the American was all over the pitch tonight. In the first, a nice solo effort saw him slot his first goal for the Impact and out his team in a favorable position going into the break. He was relatively quieter in the second half, as the Impact allowed four goals and didn’t really manage to produce anything offensively.
Romero’s timely goal was key for the Impact, and the Argentinean had a decent game once again for the Impact. Piatti was substituted in the second for Tissot, but he also had a good game, his vision really setting him apart and giving the Impact an offensive bite they so desperately needed.
"I think Henry made a big difference in the second half," said head coach Frank Klopas. "I thought we were sharp at moments, especially in the first half. We found some chances and we pushed to try and tie it. They took advantage of that to score the fourth goal."
"We actually put in a pretty good effort," said Evan Bush. "That second goal killed us. I was in between trying to grab it and push it away and didn't make up my mind. We created some chances and pushed the game all the way until the end. The third game in a week was tough, but we battled tonight."
"It's unfortunate because we caused them a lot of problems. We deserved more tonight," explained Hassoun Camara. "They have a lot of talent up front and we suffered in the second half. We could have had a better result if we were more compact like in the first half. It's cruel to give up four goals like that."
Montreal Impact Line-up
Bush
Krol
Lefevre
Ferrari
Camara
Mallace
Felipe
Romero
Duka
Piatti
Mclnerney
Impact substitutions
Di Vaio for Mclnerney, Tissot for Piatti, Jackson-Hamel for Krol
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