MONTREAL – Fabian Espindola didn’t get the memo.
Stade Saputo was honoring Marco Di Vaio on the last day of his soccer career 1619661958" tabindex="0">this Saturday afternoon, but Espindola spoiled the party somewhat, scoring a late equalizer as Montreal and DC United settled for a 1-1 tie. Di Vaio – who else? – scored the opener for Montreal.
Espindola’s goal came in the 86th minute. After United’s fourth corner kick of the game, Espindola dribbled on the edge of the Montreal area before unleashing a low drive at the near post that diving Montreal goalkeeper Evan Bush couldn’t quite reach. United had been pushing hard for the equalizer for most of the second half.
United nearly found a winner in stoppage time when Eddie Johnson had a one-on-one chance stopped by Bush. Three points would've pushed DC past the LA Galaxy for the second-spot in the final Supporters' Shield standings, which could come into play should United qualify for the MLS Cup final out of the Eastern Conference.
DC United, which had already clinched the East's top seed prior to Saturday's match, will return to the MLS Cup Playoffs next weekend against the Columbus Crew, New York Red Bulls or Sporting Kansas City.
Di Vaio’s goal, scored in the 27th minute, was a vintage effort from the Italian striker. Dilly Duka sent him through, playing him behind a lagging DC defense in the center-left channel. Di Vaio took a few touches toward goalkeeper Bill Hamid before finishing confidently with the outside of his right foot.
With three defenders suspended, Montreal’s backline averaged 22 years of age until Krzysztof Krol replaced Maxim Tissot in the 59th minute. Tissot and colleagues Wandrille Lefèvre, Karl W. Ouimette and Eric Miller managed the game well, but DC put them under pressure several times, especially after Di Vaio opened the score. Some fine hold-up play by Johnson in the 44th minute allowed Nick DeLeon to take a hard shot from just outside the box, but he hit it straight at Bush.
Di Vaio’s teammates understandably tried to set him up for more goals after his opener, mostly on the counter. The best chance came in the 52nd minute when, on a 2-on-none, Andres Romero crossed for a wide open Di Vaio only for Sean Franklin to recover just in time to deflect the ball away.
Knocked out of the playoffs on 1619661960" tabindex="0">Sept. 20, Montreal will next see competitive action in February 2015 in the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions League, for which United have also qualified. Montreal will face Mexico’s Pachuca, while D.C. have drawn Costa Rica’s Alajuelense.
MLSsoccer.com Men of the Match
Rank |
Player |
What We Saw |
1 |
<span style="font-size:12px;"><a href="“//www.mlssoccer.com/players/Marco-Di-Vaio“" target="”_blank”">Marco Di Vaio</a></span> |
Retiring striker put the bow on his long, wonderful career with one final goal. |
2 |
<span style="font-size:12px;"><a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/fabian-espindola" target="”_blank”">Fabian Espindola</a></span> |
The Argentine was at the center of DC's attacking efforts, scoring United’s late equalizer and nearly setting up a few other goals. |
3 |
<span style="font-size:12px;"><a href="“//www.mlssoccer.com/players/eddie-johnson" target="”_blank”">Eddie Johnson</a></span> |
A strong presence up top for United, even if he was a bit starved of service. Did well to hold the game up and get the rest of his D.C. teammates involved late. |
