Saturday night saw the Montreal Impact defeat the Chicago Fire 1-0, recording their first MLS victory since June 29. Designated Player Marco Di Vaio scored the game winning goal in the 84th minute, as the rain drenched those in attendance at Stade Saputo.
This weekend also marked the second meeting between Impact coach Frank Klopas and his former team, the Chicago Fire. The first meeting between Klopas and Chicago occurred on April 12 at the Stade Olympique, that game ending in a 1-1 stalemate. Saturday’s game also saw former Impact player Sanna Nyassi and Dilly Duka face their former teams. The two players were traded for one another on July 29. Duka featured in an attacking midfield role for the entire 90 minutes, while Nyassi came on for Chicago in the 68th minute.
New Impact arrival, and the teams 3rd DP, Ignacio Piatti also started the game after only arriving in ‘la belle province’ last Wednesday. Piatti played an efficient 54 minutes and showed that he has the potential to be a difference maker for the Impact.
Klopas Gets it Right:
Frank Klopas has tried every possible starting lineup combination this season in an attempt to find a winning formula. This onslaught of player selections, substitutions, and formations has often puzzled Impact supporters. However, for arguably the first time this season, one could say that the coach got the tactics right. The starting lineup and substitutions seemed logical, and the players executed the game-plan effectively. If Klopas can continue to consistently produce strong starting lineups and astute substitutions the Impact have a chance of gaining some more points in the standings.
Substitutes to the Rescue:
The key substitution that changed the flow of the game was Andrés Romero who entered the game at the 54th minute for fellow Argentinian, Piatti. Romero has been a breathe of fresh air for Montreal this season, after a disappointing season last year. It could be said that Romero has been the player on the Impact that has brought the most intensity and consistency to the lineup this season, along with Justin Mapp.
Another key substitute that entered the game in the 74th minute, and played a role in the game winning goal was Maxim Tissot. Tissot has been on a roll for the Impact factoring in a number of goals over the last month. Tissot and Wandrille Lefèvre are two players from the Impact Academy that have started to carve out a role for themselves in the first team. The young French born player is beginning to demonstrate that he might be good enough to start more games in central defence ahead of Heath Pearce. With the Impact well outside a playoff place it is a good opportunity for some of the younger players to get valuable first team playing time.
Room for Optimism:
Although the Impact sit in last place in the MLS, there is room for optimism, with the arrival of Ignacio Piatti and the second game of the CONCACAF Champions League coming up on Wednesday against C.D. FAS in El Salvador. Montreal won the first meeting two weeks ago, at Stade Saputo, 1-0. The Impact return to MLS league play next Saturday in New Jersey, facing off against the New York Red Bulls.
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