MONTREAL – The Montreal Impact kept their best effort of the season for the best team in the East.
First-half goals by Andres Romero and Jack McInerney – and an overall fine performance – snapped the New England Revolution’s five-game winning streak, giving the Impact a 2-0 win on Saturday night at Stade Saputo.
Despite the loss, New England (7-4-2, 23 pts) remain top of the East while Montreal (2-6-4, 10 pts) stay at the bottom of the Conference. Montreal will, however, cherish this clean sheet – goalkeeper Troy Perkins’ 50th in MLS – after conceding two goals on average in their first 11 games.
The Impact wasted no time getting on the board. In the third minute, one of many wonderful first touches by McInerney allowed Romero to play a one-two withMarco Di Vaio. Romero patiently finished past Bobby Shuttleworth from close range for his third of the season.
With a purpose reminiscent of their best moments of the last two seasons, Montreal played on the counter, moving the ball forward swiftly. Their front four of Di Vaio, McInerney, Romero and Issey Nakajima-Farran created several chances on New England turnovers.
Montreal’s second goal, in the 38th minute, was all Nakajima-Farran. Montreal’s newest acquisition ran down the left unchallenged and powered a shot which bounced off Shuttleworth’s chest and fell for McInerney. It was McInerney’s fourth of the season, and his fifth career goal in 10 games against the Revs.
Predictably, New England had even more of the ball in the second half but couldn‘t find a way past Perkins – or, more accurately, the Impact back four. Left back Chris Tierney, who regularly found massive pockets of space on his side as Hassoun Camara tucked in, provided a fine chance for Teal Bunbury with a cross in the 66th minute, but Bunbury’s header missed the frame.
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New England’s best chance came far too late, in the 90th minute. After a corner kick, Lee Nguyen moved the ball in the middle for an advanced A.J. Soares, whose low drive whistled just wide of Perkins' left post.
Montreal are back on the field next Wednesday, June 4, for the second leg of the Amway Canadian Championship final against Toronto FC. Their next MLS game kicks off the following Wednesday, June 11, at home to D.C. United. The Revolution will enjoy a bye week before they welcome the New York Red Bulls on Saturday, June 8.
MLSsoccer.com Men of the Match
Rank |
Player |
What We Saw |
1 |
<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/issey-nakajima-farran" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12px; ">Issey Nakajima-Farran</span></a> |
<p>Montreal's newest acquisition had great starting debut and was created the game's second goal by blowing past Farrell before Shuttleworth spilled his long-range shot.</p> |
2 |
<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/marco-di-vaio" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12px;">Marco Di Vaio</span></a> |
The ageless Italian set up the game's opener, which proved enough for a much needed win. Involved in almost everything positive Montreal does. |
3 |
<a href="//www.mlssoccer.com/players/lee-nguyen" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: 12px; ">Lee Nguyen</span></a> |
A regular in this space. Even in a listless team display, Nguyen was the lone bright spot with his creativity in the center of the park. |
