Montréal, Québec (Saturday Aug. 19, 2017) – Real Salt Lake (8-13-5, 29 pts) fell 3-1 at the hands of the Montréal Impact at Stade Saputo on Saturday, ending its six-game unbeaten run behind two goals from Ignacio Piatti.
A sudden injury to RSL DF Marcelo Silva forced Head Coach Mike Petke into an early change, shifting roles of the RSL back-line.
The home side took advantage of the injury to Silva when they jumped out to an early lead just 11 minutes in through Ignacio Piatti, his first of two in the half, when he touched a chance past GK Nick Rimando. RSL fought back to equalize through FW Luis Silva when he laced a rocket past Impact goalkeeper Evan Bush for his second goal in as many games in the 26th minute.
However, a second goal from Piatti gave the Impact a 2-1 lead heading into halftime.
The second half started briskly much like the first when Montréal added a third goal through Anthony Jackson-Hamel just two minutes into the half. RSL could never get a firm foothold after the Impact’s third goal. The Claret-and-Cobalt’s best chance of the second half fell to the feet of Silva when he slammed a first-time volley off the post in minute 60.
As RSL pressed to get back into the game in final quarter of the match, Montréal’s defense held strong and denied every chance from the visitors as the match ended 3-1.
UP NEXT: Real Salt Lake returns home to Rio Tinto Stadium after a two-game Eastern Conference road swing to face the San Jose Earthquakes for the second time in 2017 on Wednesday (8 pm MT). The two teams squared off in late June with the Earthquakes getting the better of RSL by a 2-1 decision in a game that saw rookie Jose Hernandez notch his first MLS goal.
GOAL SCORING RUNDOWN:
MTL – Ignacio Piatti (Blerim Dzemaili, Anthony Jackson-Hamel), 11th minute: A counter attack put Montreal in behind the RSL defense as Dzemali crossed the ball to Piatti, whose first-time shot beat Rimando for the game’s first goal.
RSL – Luis Silva (Albert Rusnák), 26th minute: Against the run of play, Silva played a 1-2 with RSL midfielder Albert Rusnák into the box. Silva reached the pass from Rusnák and unleashed a first-time shot that flew past Montreal goalkeeper Evan Bush for the equalizer.
MTL – Ignacio Piatti (Anthony Jackson-Hamel), 29th minute: End-to-end passing from Montréal saw Jackson-Hamel receive the ball with his back to goal inside the box. Jackson-Hamel elected to touch the ball wide to Piatti who beat RSL defender Tony Beltran before smashing home his second goal of the night.
MTL – Anthony Jackson-Hamel (Louis Beland-Goyette) 47th minute: A through ball played into the box by Beland-Goyette found the run of Jackson-Hamel who smashed home the game’s third goal past RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando.
KEY SAVES AND DEFENSIVE STOPS:
RSL – Marcelo Silva, 4th minute: Impact striker Ignacio Piatti found himself with an uncontested chance inside the penalty area until a sliding challenge from Silva blocked the shot.
MTL – Evan Bush, 44th minute: A quick shot inside the six-yard-box from RSL forward Luis Silva forced Bush into a quick kick-save to keep RSL’s goal tally to one.
MTL – Evan Bush, 64th minute: Quick feet from RSL forward Luis Silva forced Bush into a save at his near-post, saving with his foot again.
RSL – Justen Glad, 90th minute: A goal-saving effort from Glad denied the Impact a fourth goal when he raced the ball to the goal line of an open net and slid the ball to safety.
NOTES:
- RSL ends its six-game unbeaten run and three-game road winning streak away from Rio Tinto Stadium.
- RSL striker Luis Silva scored his third goal in five games when he scored in the 26th minute.
- RSL defender Marcelo Silva left the match in the sixth minute due to injury.
Match: Real Salt Lake at Montreal Impact
Date: August 19, 2017
Venue: Stade Saputo; Montréal, Quebec
Attendance: 19,541
Weather: Cloudy and 72 degrees
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
Real Salt Lake 1 0 1
Montreal Impact 2 1 3
Lineups:
Real Salt Lake: (4-2-3-1): Nick Rimando; Tony Beltran, Marcelo Silva (David Horst, 6’), Justen Glad, Chris Wingert (Yura Movsisyan, 86’); Kyle Beckerman, Sunny (Sebastián Saucedo, 60’), Jefferson Savarino, Albert Rusnák, Brooks Lennon; Luis Silva
Subs not used: Lalo Fernandez, Danilo Acosta, Reagan Dunk, Luke Mulholland
Montreal Impact: (4-3-3): Evan Busch; Hassoun Camara (Shaun Francis, 67’), Kyle Fisher, Larent Ciman, Daniel Lovitz; Louis Beland-Goyette, Samuel Piette, Blerim Dzemail (Andrés Romero, 74’)i; Michael Salazer, Anthony Jackson-Hamel (Victor Cabrera, 85’), Ignacio Piatti
Subs not used: Maxime Crépeau, Marco Donadel, Patrice Bernier, Matteo, Mancosu
Stats Summary: MTL/RSL
Shots: 14 / 19
Shots on Goal: 4 / 6
Saves: 5 / 0
Corner Kicks: 0 / 2
Fouls: 12 / 19
Offside: 2 / 1
SCORING SUMMARY
MTL – Ignacio Piatti (Blerim Dzemaili, Anthony Jackson-Hamel), 11’
RSL – Luis Silva (Albert Rusnák), 26’
MTL – Ignacio Piatti (Anthony Jackson-Hamel), 29’
MTL – Anthony Jackson-Hamel (Louis Beland-Goyette) 47’
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY:
RSL – Brooks Lennon (caution) 39’
RSL – Sunny (caution) 45’+3
RSL – Chris Wingert (caution) 57’
MTL – Evan Bush (caution) 63’
RSL – Tony Beltran (caution) 66’
RSL – Luis Silva (caution) 78’
RSL – David Horst (caution) 85’
OFFICIALS:
Referee: Chris Penso
Assistant Referees: Kathryn Nesbitt, Oscar Mitchell-Carvalho
4th Official: Sorin Stoica
VAR: Hilario Grajeda
