This article was last updated on April 16, 2022
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The Montreal Impact ended a three-game losing streak, beating the Columbus Crew 2-1 on Sunday night, at Stade Saputo. Defender Zarek Valentin and midfielder Patrice Bernier scored in the win, marking the first time that the Impact came back from a deficit to earn the three points.
The Crew opened the scoring in the 64th minute off of a corner kick. Defender Nemanja Vukovic curled his corner to the first post, near the edge of the six yard box, where midfielder Milovan Mirosevic headed the ball past Impact goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts, towards the top corner. This was the midfielder’s second goal in as many games versus the Impact.
The Impact tied it up in the 78th minute when forward Marco Di Vaio laid the ball off to Sanna Nyassi, who quickly played the ball forward to defender Zarek Valentin, making a run down the right flank. He took one touch as he pushed the ball forward into the box and fired a low shot from about 16 yards out, beating Crew goalkeeper Andy Gruenebaum to his right for his first career MLS goal. Di Vaio earned his first assist in MLS.
The home side then took the lead in 89th minute when Bernier stepped up and fired home his team leading fifth goal of the season, third on a PK, after Justin Mapp was taken down in the 18 yard box. Bernier put a low shot toward the right of Gruenebaum who dove the other way.
“This was a good win for us tonight,” said Impact head coach Jesse Marsch. “The players deserve a ton of credit tonight as they battled on the field and dug in. This will be something we will use to gain some momentum moving forward.”
“We showed guts towards the end,” said midfielder Justin Mapp. “We played well enough to get a result and we showed a lot of character. After three losses, we could have easily folded up again after allowing the first goal, but we were able to push for the win.”
“It was a good game mentally,” said midfielder Patrice Bernier. “This is a moral victory that will help us when we are in tough spots in the future. I’m very happy to have helped the team win the game tonight by scoring a goal.”
Columbus had the first real scoring chance in the 21st minute, when a ball was played across the box from the left flank to the streaking midfielder Mirosevic. His short angle shot from in close was stopped by Donovan Ricketts, who came sliding out to deflect the ball away with his right foot.
The Impact followed that up with a chance in the 36th minute, when Patrice Bernier found forward Sanna Nyassi with a through ball down midfield. Nyassi managed to get a flick on it, but Gruenebaum came out to challenge the shot and deflect it away near the top of the box.
Jeb Brovsky came close to scoring his first of the season as he fired one from just outside the box in the 76th minute. He one-timed a high ball that deflected off of a defender, but his low shot was stopped by Gruenebaum.
Midfielders Felipe and captain Davy Arnaud missed the game due to automatic one-game suspensions following an accumulation of five yellow cards. Gambian international Sanna Nyassi received his 5th caution, and will be suspended for the next game.
Upcoming match
The Impact will play its next game on the road on Saturday, July 14, versus the Philadelphia Union at 7pm (ET).
The club will then return home on Wednesday, July 18, to host the New England Revolution at Stade Saputo, at 8pm.
Lineups
MTL: GK- Donovan Ricketts; D – Zarek Valentin, Shavar Thomas, Hassoun Camara, Jeb Brovsky; M -Lamar Neagle (Sinisa Ubiparipovic 71′), Collen Warner, Justin Mapp (Justin Braun 90+2′), Patrice Bernier, Sanna Nyassi; F – Marco Di Vaio
Subs not used: GK – Evan Bush; D – Tyson Wahl, Karl W. Ouimette, Josh Gardner; F – Eduardo Sebrango
CLB: GK – Andy Gruenebaum; D – Sebastian Miranda, Chad Marshall (c), Josh Williams, Nemanja Vukovic (Anor 81′); M – Chris Birchall, Kevan George, Tony Tchani, Eddie Gaven; A – Milovan Mirosevic (Aaron Schoenfeld 70′), Emilio Renteria (Duka 82′)
Unused Subs: GK – Matt Lampson; M – Eric Gehrig, Cole Grossman; F – Justin Meram
GOALS:
CLB – Mirosevic (Vukovic) 64′
MTL – Valentin (Nyassi, Di Vaio) 78′
MTL – Bernier (PK) 89′
CAUTIONS:
CLB – Vukovic 3′
CLB – Tchani 39′
MTL – Nyassi 44′
MTL – Warner 68′
CLB – Renteria 68′
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