VANCOUVER, B.C - The Vancouver Whitecaps and Montreal Impact renewed pleasantries in a clash of Canadian teams looking to build some momentum. It was a back and forth match at Stade Saputo with the Vancouver scoring in both halves to secure a 2-1 win over Montreal, in front of a crowd of 19,597 disappointed spectators.
Marco Donadel, and Andrew Jacobson exchanged first half goals. Cristian Techera scored the winner in the 79' minute to help Vancouver earn their first road win of the season.
Vancouver improves to 3-4-1 on the season, while Montreal falls to 1-3-4.
Coach Carl Robinson was delighted with his squad's performance away from home. Especially after the team was unable to earn a result against Portland last week.
"I think our performance today, did justify what we got out of the game."
Andrew Jacobson had a goal and an assist, and earned praise from the gaffer.
"He scores a wonderful goal today," said Robinson. "I want my midfielders to do that. We need goals from all over the field, and we need to defend as a team."
The Opening 45
Vancouver went with the same starting lineup that played in Portland last Saturday. A 4-1-4-1 formation with three defensive midfielders. Montreal started in a 4-2-3-1 formation, and were forced into an early substitution in the 5' minute when Matteo Mancuso left the match, replaced by the in form Anthony Jackson-Hamel.
Montreal was not deterred by the early injury. They jumped out to an early lead in the 9' minute thanks to a massive long-range strike from Italian international, Marco Donadel. The former Serie A man, curled his shot inside the far post, behind David Ousted.
Looking to find a quick equalizer, Vancouver dominated possession and created chance after chance. Christian Bolanos, and Fredy Montero were clicking, and Montreal were on their back-heels, with the Whitecaps creating quality scoring opportunities.
Andrew Jacobson delivered a brilliant strike in the 29' minute, that Evan Bush had no chance at stopping. Bolanos sent a free kick into the Impact box that was cleared directly towards, an unmarked Jacobson. His shot was well on target and the match was all tied.
It was an exciting opening forty-five with both teams pushing the pace, looking to find offence. Vancouver held a 53% - 47% possession advantage heading into the interval.
The Second Half
The quick paced, back and forth action continued in the second half, with both teams looking to break the deadlock. Vancouver pressed forward and kept Evan Bush on his toes. Montreal ran their offence through Ignacio Piatti, but Vancouver did well to keep him off the score-sheet thanks to great defending by Sheanon Williams.
Vancouver broke through and found the winner in the 79' minute. Alphonso Davies found, Andrew Jacobson who hit a streaking Cristian Techera. The Uruguayan winger, avoided a sliding Laurent Ciman, and patiently waited out goalkeeper, Even Bush to score.
The Impact weren't going to go quietly, and they brought the kitchen sink in an effort to find the tying goal, and a possible draw. David Ousted was at his best in the final ten minutes with Montreal bringing everything forward.
Ousted denied 18 year-old Ballou Tabla with a kick-save at his post far post, and he got a foot on a Tabla effort a few minutes later. Ousted finished with 3 saves, and that include denying Donadel a brace with a terrific save. The Impact had 9 corners in the match, but didn't capitalize. Montreal opened the scoring, but it was Vancouver who was better.
Man of the Match
Andrew Jacobson
In a formation with a trio of defensive midfielder, you are going to need some contributions from defensive minded players. Andrew Jacobson is showing that he is a footballer that can play in both boxes. Jacobson, not know for his offence took his chance and scored, but he also played distributor and setup Cristian Techera. Fredy Montero isn't going to score in each and every match. If Caps players like Jacobson can contribute with offence, Vancouver will have much-needed depth in that department),
Vancouver Whitecaps Starting XI: David Ousted; Jordan Harvey, Tim Parker, Kendall Waston(C), Sheanon Williams; Matias Laba; Christian Bolanos, 81 (Nicolas Mezquida), Tony Tchani, 68 (Alphonso Davies), Andrew Jacobson, Cristian Techera, 90 (Russell Teibert); Fredy Montero. 4-1-4-1.
Montreal Impact Starting XI: Evan Bush; Chris Duvall, Kyle Fisher, Laurent Ciman, Ambroise Oyongo; Marco Donadel, Hernan Bernardello, 65 (Dominic Oduro); Ballou Tabla, Patrice Bernier, Ignacio Piatti; Matteo Mancuso, 5' (Anthony Jackson-Hamel), 73 (Daniel Lovitz). 4-2-3-1
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