Recap: Soares scores late in Montreal as Revs pip Impact

MONTREAL – The Revolution finally got one.

In their ninth attempt, New England clinched their first-ever win on Canadian soil as they defeated the Montreal Impact 1-0 at Stade Saputo on Saturday afternoon.

A.J. Soares scored his second goal of the season off a Chris Tierney set piece late in the second half to ruin what Montreal had dubbed "Supporters Day."

Well aware that Montreal were looking to clinch top seed for next season's Amway Canadian Championship with a win, the Revolution seemed happy to absorb pressure and counter, mostly through combinations between Jerry Bengtson, Fernando Cardenas and Benny Feilhaber.

LINEUPS AND FULL BOXSCORE

In the 28^th minute, one such sequence saw Impact left back Jeb Brovsky slip on the edge of the box as he tried to defend a Cardenas foray toward goal. But Montreal ‘keeper Troy Perkins came to the rescue.

Montreal enjoyed 67 percent of possession in the first half and did well finding space on the flanks, but it was the service from there that often let them down. They created just one actual chance through wide play as a Brovsky cross found Marco Di Vaio, but the Italian’s volley was deflected for a corner kick.

The Impact created two quick chances early in the second half – including one Di Vaio low cross that rolled on the goal line – and generally kept pushing for an opener. New England’s backline denied them several times in the middle, however, and when attempts from wider positions were not blocked, they simply went out for throws or goal kicks.

OPTA CHALKBOARD: Montreal led in shots on goal but couldn't finish

New England remained dangerous on the counter. Though they didn’t really threaten Perkins’ net, they did enough to worry the Montreal defense – especially on the left side after Jesse Marsch made an attacking switch in the 71^st minute. Matteo Ferrari made way for Justin Mapp, who was handed a great chance to break the deadlock three minutes later, but he skied his right-footed attempt.

Montreal came very close to finishing in the 86^th as Davy Arnaud’s attempt was cleared off the line, but they were punished two minutes later when Tierney’s corner kick found the head of Soares.

This was the last regular season game for both clubs. However, Montreal will be back on the field in Italy on November 8 to face Marco Di Vaio’s former club, Bologna F.C., at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara.

MLSsoccer.com Men of the Match