Montreal Impact 3 – 4 Colorado Rapids
Coming into the match as league leaders, one of the best home records and against a team that was winless in its last 4 matches, the Montreal Impact were tipped as firm favorites against a struggling Colorado Rapids side.
Montreal was without Justin Mapp and Sanna Nyassi due to injury and saw the return of Andres Romero to the starting XI; the rest of the line-up was the norm.
Did we get it right? Countdown - Montreal v Colorado
Colorado decided to opt for starting Edson Buddle in favor of rookie Deshorn Brown and looked to its other rookie in Dillon Powers to provide creativity and veteran Hendry Thomas a physical presence.
The Opening 45
The match started off as a cagey affair, and a feeling out process, as both sides displayed slow build-up play and attempted to manufacture space. Montreal approached the match looking to press the Rapids given its defensive issues following a 3-0 defeat to Portland Timbers, while Colorado was far more comfortable playing at a measured pace and working passing combinations.
Chances in the opening moments fell mostly to the Impact. Marco Di Vaio, in particular, found himself in good positions but only could muster up a few half chances.
The Rapids broke the deadlock in the 23rd minute through Atiba Harris, the St.Kitts forward beat the Impact defenders by latching onto a long-range free kick from rookie Dillon Powers. The goal seemed to calm the visitors down and allowed Oscar Pareja’s men to become more assured and comfortable in possession, forcing Montreal to defend different angles and stay engaged for long periods.
The hosts eventually found joy from a set piece of its own. Rapids keeper Clint Irwin struggled to clear the ball and defender Hassoun Camara finished a seated overhead kick in the 38th minute.
The goal seemed to spark the crowd, players and speed of the game and it resulted in another goal moments later. Di Vaio found his Italian compatriot Daniele Paponi on a quick counter attack in the 42nd minute, resulting in a quality finish and a 2-1 lead going into halftime.
The Second Half
The return from the break saw physical play and bookings as referee involvement set the tone, something that favored Colorado who were the team preferring to work the ball to quick counter attacks.
Rookie Dillon Powers made his presence felt in the 59th minute, getting onto a Nathan Sturgis cross and finishing his chance on Montreal keeper Troy Perkins' near post.
The equalizer seemed to put the Rapids into the ascendancy—until Paponi finished his 2nd goal of the match in the 72nd minute by poking a Davey Arnaud cross into the back of the net.
At 3-2 the Impact defensive unit failed to take command and the likes of Alessandro Nesta and Hassoun Camara looked tired, allowing substitute forward Deshorn Brown come off the bench and finish off a Chris Klute cross.
Montreal tried to press for the winner and take a share of the spoils, however, another Rapids substitute in midfielder Tony Cascio played the spoiler, finishing a ball that deflected off Patrice Bernier and earning the Rapids a hard earned road victory.
The Final Word: Rapids combination play was Impacts downfall
This was an absolute barnburner of a match.
Giving up 2-1 and 3-2 leads for a league leading side is uncharacteristic to say the least but the area of most concern was the fashion in which the tying goals and eventual game winner were conceded. Long spells of defending a Rapids side that was comfortable in possession and combined well in a variety of areas on the pitch.
The most dangerous players of the game where Colorado’s Dillon Powers and Chris Klute. Both were given ample time on the ball and put under minimal to non-existent pressure. This is something that would’ve infuriated coach Marco Schällibaum, who for one of the first times this season was out coached for large stretches by his opposite on the touchline, Oscar Pareja.
The play of Paponi, Di Vaio and Ferrari is a positive to take out of this match, but against an opponent that is coming off a poor results against Portland, Chicago and San Jose, this has to be considered vital points dropped. It was also a match that the injured Sanna Nyassi and Justin Mapp could’ve made a noticeable difference.
It will be interesting to see how the club responds in the coming games against rivals Toronto FC in the “401 Derby”, and Chivas USA. These are sides that Montreal would be expected to be the aggressors against, however, for a defensive unit that is usually rock solid to give up 4 goals is a cause for concern.
Montreal Impact Lineup
1 Perkins
5 Brovsky
13 Ferrari
14 Nesta
6 Camara
35 Paponi
7 Felipe
8 Bernier
31 Pisanu
15 Romero
9 Di Vaio
Substitutions: (58) Arnaud for Pisanu; (67) Smith for Romero; (84) Wenger for Paponi
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