Last night a young New York squad rolled into Montreal to play a hot and fully loaded Impact squad. This would be the first of two matches between the two before October 22. The teams were separated by three points in Group C of the CONCACAF Champions League, with the Impact winning twice in two games and the Red Bulls picking up a win in their only game.
Impact Dispatch: Grading Performances from Champions League Match
The home side advertised the game as the biggest game of the year because they had the chance to hold a six point advantage on the Red Bulls heading into the October 22 game- the last match of the group. On a rainy and cold night in Montreal, the Impact won the game 1-0 thanks to a 16′ goal by captain Marco Di Vaio set up by Ignacio Piatti. Today we will look at the grades some players on the Impact earned for their performance at Saputo Stadium.
Overall Team Perfomance, B-: Against a New York side filled with 11 players (10 after a red card by Connor Lade in the 77th minute) that have yet to score a goal all season in all competitions, the Impact gave up way too many chances. After Di Vaio’s goal, “les onze Montrealais” seemed to be playing a more defensive game rather than attacking and attempting to increase their lead on goal differential in the group. They were too laid back and let the Red Bulls control more possession in the second half than they had in the first half.
With only a 1-0 lead late, coach Frank Klopas subbed off leaders Di Vaio and Piatti for Jack McInerney and Wandrille Lefevre. This was a risky move by the first-year Impact coach with about nine minutes to play, but thankfully for him and their supporters it paid off. The team’s nonchalant effort after the Di Vaio goal scores them a simple B-.
Evan Bush, A+: The 28-year-old American continues to show the Impact staff and his goalie coach Youssef Dahha why he deserves to be the Impact’s starting goalie from here on out. With former number one keeper Troy Perkins sitting on the bench, Bush made some spectacular key saves in order for the Impact to win this one. He best saves came in the 33rd, 39th and 70th minutes of the match. He was able to extend his vertical leap towards on the ball on mostly high shots by Richard Eckersley and Eric Stevenson with the one at the 70th minute coming off an offside, but Bush still keeping it out. The former starting goalie from when the Impact were playing in the NASL in 2011 should have the starting role for years to come.
Ignacio Piatti, A: In just his seventh game donning the blue-black-and-white, Nachos Piatti continues to show Montreal fans why he became the club’s third designated player. The 29-year-old midfielder controlled the game in the midfield- it was his first game for the Impact playing center mid as opposed to left mid. Piatti made an impact early on when he struck the post just right of Red Bull keeper Ryan Meara. Piatti exemplified his ball movement skills when he fed the ball to Di Vaio inside the box to set up the only goal. Di Vaio is a man that likes to run along the shoulder of the last defender and Piatti timed his pass perfectly for the sprinting striker to stay onside. Piatti is the reason the Impact are winning right now and have a shot of winning this group, he deserves this good grade.
Marco Di Vaio, B+: Of course I must give a high grade to the goal-scorer. But it’s more than just that. The 38-year-old fought off Eckersley, a defender 13 years his junior just outside the six -yard box. About 10 yards out from goal, Di Vaio struck a low, hard short-side shot past Meara to send the wet Impact faithful into a frenzy. The captain in place of the injured Patrice Bernier showed signs of fatigue and laziness from then onwards, however. After picking up a yellow in the 74′, his second of the group stage- meaning his will be suspended next match- Di Vaio was taken off in the 81st minute. A shooting percentage of 100 will merit him a B+.
Dilly Duka, C: Duka is right in the middle with this one. He did nothing spectacular and he did nothing horrible either. He just didn’t do much, period. The former Chicago Fire midfielder was playing his first game on the left side, with him and Piatti switching positions for the game. An average fan was able to tell he didn’t like the left side. He rarely made runs up the left side, he left that to left back Eric Miller or defensive mid Jeremy Gagnon-Laparé. He often played up the middle near Piatti, exemplified when he passed a short ball to Piatti to set up Di Vaio’s goal. He had a shot off target in the 7th minute than 17 minutes later again he missed the 6 foot by 24 foot net. If they were on target, the score would easily be 3-0. He has the potential to do better playing with Piatti and Andres Romero, but didn’t show it.
Matteo Ferrari, D-: This is a generous D- because the only thing that would have allowed him to fail is playing faulty defense on a goal against, which didn’t happen. His biggest mistake came when he let a pass by Dax McCarty enter the six yard box but luckily for him the pass found no attacking Red Bull. He stretched out to make the block but the slow roller easily went past him, making him look like a casual footballer. Ferrari, who is critical of his team mates all the time, was held accountable for all the scoring chances against Montreal. Ferrari should take Bush out for dinner for saving him on all the mistakes.
Other Notable Grades: Heath Pearce (B), Andres Romero (B-), Jeremy Gagnon-Laparé (C+), Erice Miller and Hassoun Camara (D+)
Agree or Disagree? Drop your opinion the comments below.
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