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George Menexis ,

August 9, 2014 Email

George Menexis



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There’s finally a little ray of sunshine in the Impact’s season, and that’s their Champions League win on Tuesday against El Salvadoran team C.D. Fas. Now if only they can manage to string two wins together.



The task won’t be easy as the Impact travels to the city of Brotherly love. Without Hassoun Camara, who will be suspended because of too many yellow cards, the Impact visits a team that is riding a four-game winning streak. Getting rid of coach John Hackworth seems to have paid dividends for the Union, who are now fighting for the last playoff spot in the east. Jim Curtin, assistant coach under Hackworth, is taking over temporary reins of the Union, and so far so good.



Despite winning on Tuesday, the Impact has lost 6 straight MLS games, the most they’ve ever lost in franchise history. You would think that number would be a solid motivator for them tonight.



The Opening 45

The Impact started the game strong, bringing the play to the Union half early and with purpose. Romero, who’s been outstanding as of late, passed the ball to himself down the line in the 4th minute and crossed a low ball that almost deflected in.



The Impact continued to press early, something they’ve been struggling to do as of late. In the 11th, Mclnerney earned himself a free kick in a promising position to be taken by Felipe. He found Ferrari on the back post, whose header went just over the bar.



On the ensuing goal kick, the Union keeper booted the ball upfield towards striker Le Toux. As two defenders struggled to kick the ball away, Perkins came out to play the ball, but Krol headed it past him and Le Toux got the ball and put it in the back of the net, four Impact players scrambling behind him. One of the worst defensive mishaps for the Impact this season, and there have been quite a few.



After the goal, the Union picked up the pace. In the 22nd minute, another defensive mishap led to Nogueira getting a chance at goal from the top right corner of the box, but his shot went just wide, and the score remained 1-0.



Despite being one down so early, the Impact continued to bring the game to the Union patiently, looking for a hole in their defense. Bernier was doing a good job of controlling the middle and keeping possession in difficult areas of the pitch.



In the 30th, the Impact got one of their best chances of the match. Felipe received the ball on the left side with space and fed Mclnerney in the box, but his ensuing bicycle kick went high and wide.



In the 37th minute, the Impact has 67 per cent of the possession and was controlling the game, but they were failing to get quality shots on net. Mclnerney was making key runs, but the passes to him were poor.



In the 42nd, Cruz and Ferrari got into a little scuffle in the Impact box, and Cruz wouldn’t have it, putting his face up close to Ferrari’s. The referee immediately intervened, and handed Cruz a yellow card. In all fairness, Ferrari did tackle him after the whistle had blown.



A solid performance from #IMFC, who at least deserved a point. We need to keep battling and keep our heads head! #ImpactFamily — IMFC Fans (@IMFCFans) August 10, 2014

The Second Half

The Impact got the first chance of the second in the 49th. Miller crossed a floating ball onto Mclnerney, but his header went just wide.



The Union had a chance of their own five minutes later. Le Toux’s cross from outside the box was inches away from finding Connor Casey’s head on the six-yard line.



Two minutes later, the Impact got their first shot on net. Justin Mapp weaved his way in the middle and fired a shot from outside the box that was saved.



Both teams were picking up speed, and both were getting chances on net. Despite the mishap that cost the goal, the Montreal defense were having a great game tonight, giving the Union players no real chances. The Impact’s struggles were in the final third of the pitch, and they struggled to get shots on net.



In the 62nd minute, Andrew Wenger was brought in for Cruz and he made an immediate Impact on the game. Wenger came streaking in from the left side and passed to Letoux, who baffled Krol with a few fakes, and easily put it past Perkins. Le Toux was on a good run with 7 goals in 8 games, two of those goals tonight.



Le Toux came inches close to a hat trick a few minutes later, but his volley on the run went just high. That was the cue for the Impact to make a double change, and hopefully change the direction of this game.



Hamel’s presence was immediately felt. Just moments after he was brought in, Krol’s cross found Hamel in the box, who one-touched the ball and hitting the post. The ball then rolled straight into the keeper’s arms. Hamel was that close to scoring his first MLS goal.



Moments later, Duka waltzed into the box but his low cross went past everyone and was quickly cleared. The double substitution was making an positive Impact as the Impact were trying to get one back.



The game was all Impact as we neared the 80th minute, and finally the Impact broke threw. Romero from the right side brilliantly fed Tissot, who was streaking into the box. He calmly one-timed a bullet past the keeper. With 12 minutes to go, the Impact had one back, and with that some hope of avoiding yet another loss.



But it was too little too late for the Impact, and despite having the upper hand against the Union for most of the game, the Impact goes home tonight losers of seven straight games in the MLS.



"I wonder why we lost the game today. It seems like we can't get a little break," said head coach Frank Klopas. "We made two mistakes that cost us the game. In certain moments, we could have done better in the final third with our final pass that was a little bit off, but we controlled the game and got opportunities. We still have many games to play and we still have to be better in certain areas of our game."



"It's a tough one to take tonight after playing a solid game like this," said team captain Patrice Bernier. "After the first goal, we kept on pushing. We played a good second half, but we were unlucky not to tie it up."



Man of the Match





Felipe

Felipe has been criticized this season for the quality of his game, but tonight against the Union he was the Felipe that the fans loved in 2012. He was constantly finding space and he created good opportunities for the Impact, but perhaps a little bump in finishing will finally give the Impact a win. Honourable Mention Andres Romero

Romero, arguably the Impact’s best player as of late, had another good game, making good runs, and setting up Tissot beautifully for the goal. Credit should also be given to Ferrari, who despite a few lapses in concentration had a good game in the back, as did the Impact defense. Montreal Impact Line-up



Mclnerney

Romero

Felipe

Mapp

Larrea

Bernier

Krol

Ferrari

Lefevre

Miller

Perkins



Impact substitutions



Duka for Felipe, Jackson-Hamel for Mclnerney, Tissot for Mapp