New York Red Bulls vs. Montreal Impact – Game Recap
As the rest of this Major League Soccer 2015 season, the last stretch of games continues to provide drama, thrill, suspense and most of all – world-class soccer.
As reason would have it, most of the playoff positions would have been clinched by now, and the last matches of the regular MLS season would have been background for the anticipation of the big playoffs, that should have been pretty much certain by now.
However, this isn’t the case at all, as teams still have a fighting chance until literally the last minute. Which is exactly what happened last night, with Montreal Impact failing to beat New York Red Bulls, it is yet to clinch a playoff position. Technically, still leaving a faint hope for the two MLS expansion teams NYCFC and Orlando City SC.
Visitors Montreal Impact suffered a devastating blow early in the match, with ex New York Red Bulls, now Montreal defender Ambroise Oyongo being shown the red card and sent off 15 minutes into the game for a handball on the goal line, denying an obvious goal-scoring opportunity.
New York’s Sacha Kljestan took the kick to the center of goal, scoring the first point of the match and giving the Red Bulls an early lead (16’).
New York Red Bulls 1 – 0 Montreal Impact
Hosts New York Red Bulls’ Lloyd Sam managed to draw another penalty less than ten minutes later, when he was taken down in the box by Marco Donadel, but Sacha Kijestan who took the penalty kick again was denied a goal by Montreal’s keeper Evan Bush.
The hosts did manage to double the lead before half time, with Bradly Wright-Phillips taking a shot that was blocked by Montreal’s defender Donny Tola. The ball deflected to find Lloyd Sam outside of the box, who arched the ball into an empty net (39’).
New York Red Bulls 2 – 0 Montreal Impact
Montreal’s recent arrival, Designated Player Didier Drogba took a free kick on target that was tended on the goal line by New York’s Ronald Zubar.
The third penalty kick of the night was awarded to Montreal Impact, with Didier Drogba converting it into Montreal’s first and only point of the match.
New York Red Bulls 2 – 1 Montreal Impact
Although Montreal Impact did create several chances later in the game, New York dominated the match with 68% possession and 20 shots of which 8 on target (compared to Montreal’s 7 of which 3 on target).
New York Red Bulls travel next to face Toronto FC on Wednesday, Oct. 14th. Montreal Impact have a short break and travel to Colorado Rapids this coming Saturday.
