Montreal Impact 2, Real Salt Lake 1 | 2019 MLS Match Recap

Phil West

The Montreal Impact were able to return to their winning ways at Stade Saputo on Wednesday evening with a 2-0 win, snapping the visiting Real Salt Lake's three-match win streak.

The first half carried chances for both teams, but the opening goal came in its dying moments — specifically, at the end of two minutes of stoppage time, when Omar Browne was able to score the Impact's first first-half goal in 13 matches — dating back to March 16 against Orlando City SC. It was all the more remarkable given that Saphir Taider bounced a shot off the crossbar barely a minute into the action, in the first of the Impact's eight first-half shots.

The Impact were able to double their lead midway through the second half, when Browne played Bacary Sagna toward goal. Donny Toia fouled the onrushing Sagna, leading to a PK call that Saphir Taider was able to convert. RSL got a goal back in the 84th minute when Sam Johnson slotted home a headed Damir Kreilach assist, but were unable to find the late equalizer.

Goals

45' + 2' – MTL – Omar Browne | WATCH
68' – MTL – Saphir Taider (PK) | WATCH
84' – RSL – Sam Johnson | WATCH

Three Things

THE BIG PICTURE: Again, Montreal had to go without Ignacio Piatti — something they'd grown accustomed to over the last two months — but managed to put together a home win to keep them third in the East standings. RSL had won three in a row before the stumble here, though Johnson's late score was a positive given the recent drama swirling around him.
MOMENT OF THE MATCH: Browne's goal just before the break was welcome given the Impact's extended first-half scoring drought, and transformed the narrative from continued frustration to breakthrough.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Though Browne finally had a match worthy of his consistently-impressive workrate, Taider had the best all-around performance of anyone on the pitch, threatening early and making sure to deliver the eventual game-winning goal from the spot.