Ignacio Piatti scored the lone goal as the 10-man Montreal Impact defeated Toronto TC in a feisty 401 Derby encounter as part of MLS Heineken Rivalry Week at BMO Field Saturday night.
Directly off a long Evan Bush goal kick, Dominic Oduro played the ball to Piatti, who took a sublime touch to put the ball on his left foot and then went back across the goal to give the Impact the lead. It was his 14th goal of the season.
The derby boiled over two minutes from halftime when Calum Mallace knocked over Steven Beitashour at midfield after Marco Delgado was booked for clipping Oduro. Following a brief fracas between both teams, referee Jorge Gonzalez sent Mallace off with a straight red card.
Box Score
- 73’ – MTL – Ignacio Piatti (Dominic Oduro, Matteo Mancosu)
- Full box score
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Three Things
1. BMO BEATDOWN NO MORE: Whether its MLS play or the Canadian Championship, Toronto FC have dominated the 401 Derby at BMO Field. All told, the Reds were on a 12-game unbeaten streak against their rivals, having outscored them 22-11. So Montreal's win on Saturday must be seen as a major statement at an important time.
2. MALICE FROM MALLACE?: The red card late in the first half to Calum Mallace was a flash point and will no doubt be discussed throughout the week. In real time, his body check of Steven Beitashour looked nasty, but it also looked like the TFC defender made the most of the challenge as he prevented the Impact from a quick restart in midfield.
3. HEROIC DEFENDING: From Ambroise Oyongo to Laurent Ciman to Donny Toia and Hassoun Camara, the Impact put on a defensive clinic against the high-flying hosts, limiting TFC to just three shots on target - none for red-hot Jozy Altidore and one pedestrian free kick from Sebastian Giovinco, who left injured. The end result was a much-needed three points for the Impact since a 2-1 win over the Chicago Fire on April 16.
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