MONTREAL – The Montreal Impact consolidated their position at the top of the Eastern Conference, as they beat the Houston Dynamo 2-0 on Wednesday night at Stade Saputo.
Felipe scored his third of the season 14 minutes in while Marco Di Vaio re-joined Philadelphia Union’s Jack McInerney at the top of the scoring charts with his 10th of the season on 32 minutes.
The Impact now have 29 points to show from their 14 outings. Houston, meanwhile, are one of three teams on 22 points from 15 games in the conference, but are in fourth place by virtue of scoring fewer goals than the Union.
COMPLETE LINEUPS AND BOX SCORE
Houston conceded a goal in the opening quarter-hour for the first time this season when Felipe found the back of the net from close range. A wonderful through ball from Patrice Bernier beat the Dynamo's offside trap and found the Brazilian, who finished by poking the ball in between Houston goalkeeper Tally Hall’s legs.
The Dynamo slowly picked themselves up but were deflated by, ironically, their most glorious chance of the game. Matteo Ferrari clipped Will Bruin in the Montreal box, leading referee Chris Penso to point to the spot. Giles Barnes stepped up with a chance to bring Houston level, but he skied his attempt into the East Stand.
OPTA Chalkboard: Impact lose possession battle but take advantage of Dynamo mistakes
Corey Ashe then dug the Dynamo’s grave deeper in the 32nd minute. He weighed his back pass from midfield wrong and it turned into an assist for Di Vaio, who raced to the ball and then in on goal before lobbing Hall with stunning composure for Montreal’s second.
The Impact essentially played on the counter after halftime, mostly through pacey winger Sanna Nyassi. Houston, however, struggled to break down Montreal’s experience defensive block throughout.
Houston take on Canadian opposition again on Saturday, June 22, as they welcome Toronto FC at BBVA Compass Stadium. The Impact, for their part, will get an extra week's rest before they host the Colorado Rapids for the first time ever at Stade Saputo on Saturday, June 29.
MLSsoccer.com Men of the Match
Rank |
Player |
What We Saw |
1 |
<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/marco-di-vaio"><span style="font-size: 12.222222328186035px;">Marco Di Vaio</span></a> |
Once again showed his class by threatening the Dynamo defense consistently and did well to beat Tally Hall with a chip. Should have had another but the crossbar denied him. |
2 |
<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/patrice-bernier"><span style="font-size: 12.222222328186035px;">Patrice Bernier</span></a> |
Aside from delivering a beautifully-lofted ball over the top for the opening goal, Bernier expended a lot of energy by covering plenty of ground on defense and made some penetrating runs on offense. |
3 |
<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/felipe"><span style="font-size:12px;">Felipe</span></a> |
Took his goal well from close range and helped the Impact midfield take the sting out of Houston's attack. |
