Photo: Paul Rudderow
The Montreal Impact ran out easy 4-1 winners over a listless Philadelphia Union team on Saturday night at Talen Energy Stadium. Auston Trusty scored his first MLS goal to give the Union the lead early in the first half, but two goals from Alejandro Silva and one apiece for Saphir Taider and Quincy Amarikwa saw the Impact take all three points.
Jim Curtin named a first choice XI, with Borek Dockal recovering from a minor ankle sprain in time to start.
Philadelphia drew first blood, with Trusty scoring his first Union goal in the 11th minute. Dockal drove in a strong cross from a Union corner and Trusty rose highest at the near post to nod in past a stranded Evan Bush from 5 yards out. The assist was Dockal’s 15th of the season, lifting him to first in the league and also tying the Union’s season record.
Montreal would equalize in the 28th minute. Bush came to punch Haris Medunjanin’s corner and Ray Gaddis wrong footed Fafa Picault with a short pass, allowing Montreal to race away on the counterattack with Ignacio Piatti on the ball. Piatti drove 40 yards with the ball before playing a pass for Alejandro Silva to run onto. Andre Blake came out to try to intercept the pass, but Silva was first to the ball and clipped a shot past Blake into the empty net.
The Impact would take the lead in the 39th minute. Quincy Amarkwa’s shot from outside the box was saved by Blake, but the rebound sat up nicely for Saphir Taider to tap into the empty net from four yards out.
Montreal would add a third in the 63rd minute. Daniel Lovitz broke into the box with the ball down the Montreal left and squared a pass from the touchline that Amarikwa bundled home from close range.
The Impact would put the game totally out of reach with another counterattacking goal in the 77th minute. Again, the Impact raced away from a Union corner kick with pace, this time with Alejandro Silva leading the charge. Silva got to the top of the Union box before playing a give and go with Piatti and slotting home past a stranded Blake.
Fabian Herbers, Derrick Jones, and David Accam were all brought on as the Union looked to get back into the match, but the offense never really seemed to click and create any clear cut chances.
Montreal’s win pulls them within a point of the Union and 5th place in the Eastern Conference. Philadelphia faces a challenging week ahead, having to travel to Seattle on Wednesday before hosting Sporting Kansas City next Sunday. The U.S. Open Cup Final in Houston lurks just 10 days away as well.
Three Points
- Oof. The Impact looked the stronger side from the outset and punished the Union whenever they had the chance. Philadelphia will feel especially disappointed to have conceded twice on the counterattack from their own corner kicks.
- No offense. The Union offense looked completely devoid of ideas as the Impact dropped numbers behind the ball.
- Trusty. Congrats to Auston Trusty on his first MLS goal. Well in with the header at the near post.
Lineups
Philadelphia Union
Andre Blake, Keegan Rosenberry, Jack Elliott, Auston Trusty, Ray Gaddis, Haris Medunjanin, Alejandro Bedoya, Fafa Picault, Borek Dockal (Derrick Jones 72′), C.J. Sapong (Fabian Herbers 64′), Cory Burke (David Accam 80′)
Unused Subs: John McCarthy, Fabinho, Mark Mckenzie, Warren Creavalle
Montreal Impact
Evan Bush, Rudy Camacho, Bacary Sagna, Daniel Lovitz, Rod Fanni, Michael Azira, Samuel Piette, Saphir Taider (Ken Krolicki 87′), Alejandro Silva, Quincy Amarikwa (Jukka Raitala 71′), Ignacio Piatti (Anthony Jackson-Hamel 80′)
Unused Subs: Clement Diop, Shamit Shome, Matteo Mancosu, Chris Duvall
Scoring summary
PHI: Auston Trusty – 11′ (Borek Dockal, Haris Medunjanin)
MTL: Alejandro Silva (Ignacio Piatti) – 28′
MTL: Saphir Taider – 39′
MTL: Quincy Amarikwa – 63′ (Daniel Lovitz)
MTL: Alejandro Silva – 76′ (Ignacio Piatti)
Disciplinary summary
MTL: Alejandro Silva — 20′ (unsporting behavior)
PHI: Jack Elliott – 42′ (unsporting behavior)
PHI: Cory Burke – 56′ (persistent infringement)
| Philadelphia Union | Montreal Impact | |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Shots | 15 |
| 3 | Shots on Target | 6 |
| 3 | Shots off Target | 8 |
| 3 | Blocked Shots | 1 |
| 7 | Corner Kicks | 4 |
| 20 | Crosses | 7 |
| 1 | Offsides | 1 |
| 11 | Fouls | 10 |
| 2 | Yellow Cards | 1 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 |
| 575 | Total Passes | 396 |
| 85% | Passing Accuracy | 82% |
| 59.7% | Possession | 40.3% |
| 28 | Duels Won | 36 |
| 45% | Duels Won % | 55% |
| 6 | Tackles Won | 12 |
| 2 | Saves | 2 |
| 10 | Clearances | 23 |
Fafa was wrong. The Union do suck (at least tonight).
I love the way that guy plays though… always looks to be a threat going forward.
I was not happy with him last night. Over and over again he would dribble into 2 or 3 defenders and then wonder why he lost the ball. Or else he took a weak shot right at Bush.
At halftime I decided to leave but the fool in me said to stick it out, which I did till goal 3.
20 mins of good footy followed by 70 of frustration and sloppiness.
Trusty goal set piece was brilliant.
Right the ship. Move on.
This is a good defeat. Union scored early and became complacent and a hungry team with a predator took it to them. Piatti is simply too good to give an ounce of space to. Let this game serve as a reminder..
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…My name is Ozymandias, King of Kings. Look on my works Ye mighty and despair. Nothing besides remains, Round the decay of that colossal wreck.
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of for the more popular bend among us…
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“Fame won’t get you high as this
Chains won’t get you high as this
Juice won’t get you high as this
`
Levitate, Levitate, Levitate, Levitate.”
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In other news, stink again in Seattle, lose in Houston and oh my Phang.
Absolutely no energy from the team after the goal. I can’t understand how a team that gave up a 3-0 lead last game could take this game so casually.
Oh boy. Lose the next couple (minus the Open Cup) and we are in some deep shit. This was the game that reminded me the Union are still the Union… until they aren’t. A beatable team… at home… good crowd… nice night… and BAM! Please don’t let this be the start of the ball rolling back DOWN the hill… I’m not feeling good about the rest of this season. A result at Seattle, which is asking a TON – especially with the other games on the docket – would go a long way.
It’s probably the start of a 4 game losing streak that will be exasperated by Curtin now wanting to get something out of the trip to Seattle.
Exactly what I thought. I hate all of this right now. This won’t end well. PS – I am trying really hard NOT to be a fatalist but it’s tough
Herbers has better technical control of the ball than C.J. Sapong.
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Without Ilsinho they are vulnerable to a bunker and counter team.
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McKenzie is faster than Elliott, and everybody in the league knows that Montreal plays for the counterattack.
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Two speed demon deep safeties on corner kicks against them please.
Boom OSC. You are correct, Montreal showed their vulnerability to a club that sits back and counters with pace. I was waiting for a club to adjust and see how Curtin responded. While we have looked very good over a stretch of matches……they also look very predicable.
predictable….Lolz…good morning!
Their midfield was exposed again. Runners weren’t followed. I think it was the second goal, Bedoya was totally left watching. You can see after the goal he looks around and realizes it was his fault. I think a choice needs to be made soon. Someone in the middle has to go, and it isn’t Dockal. Combo of Bedoya and Haris is too slow. Maybe it’s as OSC says and McKenzie can make up the difference.
Bedoya had a howler tonight, their were times where there was a huge gap in the middle of the park, with Dockal running like a chicken with its head cut off……to make up for Bedoyas lack of engine……
It’s Phang’s phault.
(Curse of Phang).
Phunny, but he wasn’t on the phield…
No…I blame Dan Walsh. By saying the “j” word he opened the door to doubt, created space for self_fulfilled prophecy, and allowed a “dog ate my homework” excuse to run all through the union bench and fans as Dan gleefully threw a child’s creation under the bus as a scapegoat.
In doing so he willfully ignored the coach and the team’s questionable performance prior to departure of the sporting director.
Return to form after the euphoria of their unshackled formation choices? Who knows?
But now everyone from team to press to fans will believe in the Curse of Phang and call for exorcism or the meddling Scooby gang to unmask the evil villain, played by ….of course….spoiler alert…..Nick Sak.
A UnionGoal who still believes enough ingredients there to make an MLS cup, but we need Emeril. BAM
Nah. Dockal was slowed by injury, and Medunjanin’s lack of speed has always left them susceptible to the counterattack.
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Montreal bunkered and smoked them on the counter. Piatti is the best counterattacker in the league, and Daniel Lovitz showed what a true left back can do.
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Philly needed a can opener to crack open the bunker, but Ilsinho is injured. I like Sapong, but he isn’t the answer on the right wing. Anyone remember Marcus Epps?
+1
PS. Notice stats? Reminiscent of earlier in season, where Union dominated but didn’t bring leave with 3 points in pocket. This was thought then to be sign team improving and wins on way. Sorta right. Osc points out correctly though union lack ability to bust bunkers as their possession lacks purpose. Our young defense like all less experienced defenses is vulnerable to speedy counters.
Not speed as older slower defenders are capable of stopping counters. I forget who it was, cruddy maybe, who said he wasn’t fast, just read the tea leaves and started his run sooner to give perception of speed.
Point is, better training and tactics needed for breaking through when opponents park bus.
This will help…countering the counter will come as youth gain wisdom of experience.
UnionGoal
PS. Notice stats? Reminiscent of earlier in season, where Union dominated but didn’t leave with 3 points in pocket. This was thought then to be sign team improving and wins on way. Sorta right. Osc points out correctly though union lack ability to bust bunkers as their possession lacks purpose. Our young defense like all less experienced defenses is vulnerable to speedy counters.
Not missing speed as older slower defenders are capable of stopping counters. I forget who it was, cruyff maybe, who said he wasn’t fast, just read the tea leaves and started his run sooner to give perception of speed.
Point is, better training and tactics needed for breaking through when opponents park bus.
This will help…countering the counter will come as youth gain wisdom of experience.
UnionGoal
Cruddy=Cruyff. Sorry, auto-correct victim.
We were talking in the stands at the half. Bouncing ideas of where the U lost the control of the middle. Bedoya seemed to be trackin deep and Harris isn’t running anyone down. Very suspect that our Manager didn’t right the ship…also the players were looking quite lazy…or at least slow to react. Too much space left between the lines!
Down at the half and Jim trots out the same team and tactics. No change no adjustments. My frustration is a reminder of why I gave up my tickets this year after being a Founding member.
I am flying to Houston for the Open Cup match and purchased front row seat on the fifty yard line. I really hope the new sporting director can help Jim figure out how to get his players to peak for THAT GAME.
Did you just say 50 yard line?
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How am I supposed to ever take anything seriously again.