Recap: Impact score two late goals to top Portland 2-0

Bernardo Corradi celebrates after converting his penalty

MONTREAL – Once again, the Portland Timbers will rue that last quarter of an hour.


The Montreal Impact scored twice in the final 15 minutes on Saturday for a 2-0 victory over the Portland Timbers at Olympic Stadium, the expansion side’s second victory of the season.


Bernardo Corradi struck on a penalty kick in the 76th minute after Timbers newcomer Steven Smith was whistled for a handball in the box, then an unmarked Sinisa Ubiparipovic delivered the insurance goal after finishing a Davy Arnaud cross at the far post in the 84th minute.


Portland have now conceded seven goals in the last 15 minutes of games this season.


LINEUPS AND BOX SCORE

The Impact’s 10-day break seemed to revitalize their players, especially in the center of the park. Collen Warner and Felipe distributed the ball well and made the Timbers counterattacks difficult. Moreover, Montreal’s backline, led by an excellent Matteo Ferrari, managed to catch a dangerous Jorge Perlaza offside four times before the tricky attacker was substituted near the hour mark.


Portland struggled to recreate their road form of last week’s upset of Sporting Kansas City, as neither Perlaza nor fellow forward Kris Boyd were given much space to work with. Nor was Darlington Nagbe, who started the game on the right wing before pushing up top when Perlaza came off.


OPTA Chalkboard: Impact defense neutralizes Portland attack

Montreal also struggled to score early on, even though they had their chances. Arnaud and Corradi failed to convert excellent low crosses in the 14th and 44th minutes, respectively.


The Timbers had a scary moment in the 63rd minute goalkeeper Troy Perkins took Sanna Nyassi’s cleat to the face when both went for a dangerous ball in Portland’s penalty area. Joe Bendik came in to replace the Timbers No. 1, and made a couple of good saves, but was powerless to stop Corradi’s penalty or Ubiparipovic’s easy finish.


With the win, Montreal improve to 2-5-2. They next travel to Sporting KC on May 5. Portland, meanwhile, fall to 2-5-1; they’ll host Columbus on the same day.


MLSsoccer.com Men of the Match

Rank
Player
What We Saw
1
<span style="font-size:12px;"><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/matteo-ferrari">Matteo Ferrari</a></span>
Big Italian center back had perhaps best game in Impact shirt, helping to neutralize Boyd, Perlaza, Nagbe
2
<span style="font-size:12px;"><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/davy-arnaud">Davy Arnaud</a></span>
Missed sitter in 14th, but Montreal captain didn&#39;t quit, pushing forward and assisting on eventual clincher
3
<span style="font-size:12px;"><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/joe-bendik">Joe Bendik</a></span>
Timbers backup made best of bad situation with two good saves after coming in, was powerless on goals

WATCH: Full match highlights