Matteo Mancosu’s stunning goal proved to be the difference-maker in the Montreal Impact’s 1-0 win over the New York Red Bulls.
The Montreal Impact met the New York Red Bulls in the first leg of their semifinal matchup in the MLS Cup Playoffs. The game took place north of the border as Montreal took a 1-0 lead after the first leg finished. They will now travel to New York looking to advance past the Red Bulls and into the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Impact handed the NYRB their first loss since July 3rd. They were on a 16 game unbeaten run in Major League Soccer play but the upset victory for Montreal has New York with plenty of questions to be answered going forward. They will need to bounce back in the second leg.
Montreal was without star striker, Didier Drogba, as he was out with a back injury. He has not played in the team’s last three games and hasn’t started since September 24th. With the rumors surrounding his situation with the Impact, it doesn’t seem likely that he will appear in the Starting XI going forward this season.
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The New York Red Bulls had a penalty claim early in the first half when Bradley Wright-Phillips went down inside the penalty area. He got past the defense and Impact goalkeeper, Evan Bush, seemed to clip BWP down but the referee didn’t award a penalty. This decision shaped the match and was definitely a game-changing moment.
Montreal striker, Matteo Mancosu, was the hero of the match for his side. The Italy international came through when he was needed most and scored the game’s lone goal in the 61′ minute. His stellar finish came after an over-the-top ball from Marco Donadel and Mancosu volleyed his shot into the back of the net past goalkeeper Luis Robles.
Bradley Wright-Phillips missed a potential equalizer in stoppage time. A shot from Omer Damari was saved by Bush but the rebound fell directly to BWP inside the six-yard box with an almost open net in front of him. The Golden Boot award winner missed the point blank chance and Montreal kept their clean sheet.
"Mancosu. Magnificent. #MTLvNY https://t.co/Ga9ZHvnkoI— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 30, 2016"
Things got heated near the end of the match when NYRB striker, Omer Damari, went in recklessly with a challenge on Calum Mallace. He was sent off with a red card but the Impact were not happy with the tackle and rightfully so.
The second leg of this semifinal matchup will take place on November 6th in New York with the Red Bulls being at home. The Montreal Impact will take their 1-0 lead into the second leg. NYRB have plenty to do in that match if they want to advance past this round of the playoffs.