Montreal Impact’s Unlikely Hero is Stepping Up at the Right Time
With star striker, Didier Drogba, out for the Montreal Impact, an unlikely hero in Matteo Mancosu has led the team to a surprising start in the postseason.
When the Montreal Impact made a loan move for Matteo Mancosu earlier this season, no one thought he would be their hero in the playoffs. With Didier Drogba out of the team picture, the Italy international has stepped up his game. He is the unlikely hero that may lead this club to a deep run in the postseason.
Mancosu has scored three goals in Montreal’s first two playoff games. In their first game on the road, he scored two goals and recorded one assist against D.C. United in a game Montreal won 4-2. He backed up that performance with an incredible goal against the New York Red Bulls in the first leg of their semifinal matchup. Heading into the second leg and to New York, Matteo’s squad have a 1-0 lead and a chance to advance to the Eastern Conference championship.
The 31-year old forward only started in seven games during the regular season but he is making the most of his opportunity with Drogba out in the playoffs. After only scoring two goals in 15 appearances this year, Mancosu has passed that mark in only two postseason matches. The shocking outburst from Matteo has many captivated and Montreal Impact fans thinking of playoff success this year.
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Mancosu’s career has always been a bit surprising. After spending the majority of his early career in the lower ranks of Italian football, he finally broke into the country’s top-flight league at the age of 30. He has helped lead some stories of promotion and success throughout his career as he is looking to do the same with Montreal this season.
Although he wasn’t a key figure in the Impact’s regular season, Mancosu has become their star. He is their frontman and may fit the team’s style of play better than Drogba at the moment. There are no signs of Mauro Biello dropping Matteo from the Starting XI despite Didier recovering from injury.
Matteo has played a hand in four of the club’s five goals in the playoffs this year. Montreal were the underdogs against D.C. United in the knockout round but Mancosu pushed them through. They are also the underdogs against the NYRB but a strong first leg outing by the Italian striker has the club on the verge of their first ever conference championship berth.
Here’s a look at the stunning goal by Matteo Mancosu against the New York Red Bulls:
"Mancosu. Magnificent. #MTLvNY https://t.co/Ga9ZHvnkoI— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 30, 2016"
Mancosu’s play has taken everyone by surprise but this sort of talent and skill should’ve been expected from the 2013-14 Serie B leading goal scorer. Everywhere he has played, Matteo has produced goals. He may not be the most flashy of players or have the biggest name value, but he gets the job done. He is proving that with Montreal in the playoffs.
If the Bologna loanee can continue his stellar form in the postseason, the Impact is going to be a tough out. While he hasn’t been the only reason for the club’s success, he has played a helping hand. Matteo Mancosu’s improbable heroics have made him the breakout player of the playoffs so far.