MONTREAL, QC – Yordy Reyna scored early for Vancouver Whitecaps FC, however, a goal called back with video review, sandwiched between a pair of penalty kick saves from Evan Bush and Maximiliano Urruti’s go-ahead goal turned the tide to give Montreal Impact a 2-1 victory at Stade Saputo on Wednesday evening.
This all-Canadian tilt was wild from the start, with the ‘Caps taking the lead in the 17th minute on a possession that started when Crépeau smothered a threatening ball across the middle. With that, the ‘Caps were on the attack, and Inbeom Hwang found Tosaint Ricketts along the right wing. Ricketts fed Michaell Chirinos penetrating right up the middle to draw in the Impact defence, the pair each making their first start for the ‘Caps, and combining to leave the ball for a wide-open Reyna for the tap-in.
Continuing on the front foot, the ‘Caps had a flurry of golden chances to double their lead when Chirinos drew a foul inside the box from Samuel Piette in the 21st minute. Bush denied Reyna on the initial ensuing penalty kick, which Ricketts cleaned up with a putback goal, but VAR ruled both Bush and Ricketts encroaching on the attempt. On the retake, Bush once again made the save, reading Reyna’s intent for the second time.
Sensing a change in fortunes, Montreal scored twice in two minutes, with Urruti influencing on both. First it was the striker attacking from the right wing and sending the ball across the box, which was deflected off a sliding Doneil Henry and into the net. Then moments later, Urruti was on the receiving end of a long Bacary Sagna cross, chesting it down before scoring from the back post to give Impact the 2-1 lead in the 37th minute.
Chirinos, Reyna, and Ricketts continued to push for an equalizer with their lively play as the trio combined for nine shots, including six on target, but the ‘Caps were unable to give head coach Marc Dos Santos the result against his former club. Crépeau delivered with eight saves in his much-anticipated homecoming.
Whitecaps FC face a quick turnaround as they are back home this Saturday when they host New York City FC at BC Place. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. PT. Visit whitecapsfc.com for ticket information.
MATCH DETAILS
WFC Man of the Match: Michaell Chirinos
Referee: Ismail Elfath
Attendance: 14,513
Scoring Summary
17’ – VAN – Yordy Reyna (Michaell Chirinos, Tosaint Ricketts)
35’ – MTL – Doneil Henry (own goal)
37’ – MTL – Maximiliano Urruti (Bacary Sagna)
Statistics
Possession: MTL 38.9% – VAN 61.1%
Shots: MTL 19 – VAN 13
Shots on Goal: MTL 8 – VAN 8
Saves: MTL 6 – VAN 8
Fouls: MTL 10 – VAN 9
Offsides: MTL 0 – VAN 0
Corners: MTL 6 – VAN 4
Caution
51’ – MTL – Maximiliano Urruti
Montreal Impact
1.Evan Bush; 33.Bacary Sagna, 4.Rudy Camacho, 22.Jukka Raitala, 3.Daniel Lovitz; 6.Samuel Piette ©, 8.Saphir Taïder; 18.Orji Okwonkwo (28.Shamit Shome 68’), 9.Bojan (13.Ken Krolicki 84’), 21.Lassi Lappalainen; 37.Maximiliano Urruti (26.Jorge Corrales 90’+3’)
Substitutes not used
23.Clément Diop, 15.Zachary Brault-Guillard, 17.Ballou Tabla, 27.Clément Bayiha
Vancouver Whitecaps FC
16.Maxime Crépeau; 28.Jake Nerwinski, 2.Doneil Henry, 13.Derek Cornelius, 53.Ali Adnan; 6.Jon Erice ©; 29.Yordy Reyna, 4.Inbeom Hwang, 31.Russell Teibert (50.Theo Bair 87’), 33.Michaell Chirinos (12.Fredy Montero 76’); 87.Tosaint Ricketts (19.Lass Bangoura 82’)
Substitutes not used
18.Zac MacMath, 15.Andy Rose, 23.Scott Sutter, 46.Brett Levis
