MONTREAL – The Impact are firmly in the driver’s seat, but the New York Red Bulls could still manage to put a hand on the steering wheel.
Montreal did just enough on Wednesday night as they beat the Red Bulls 1-0 at Stade Saputo in Group 3 of the CONCACAF Champions League. Marco Di Vaio was the lone scorer.
The Impact remain top of the group with nine points, in front of New York who sit on three points. El Salvador’s FAS are last in the group with no points. The Red Bulls could still tie Montreal’s tally with two wins in their last two games, after which the tie-breaking procedues would apply.
With the Red Bulls’ ongoing race to the MLS Playoffs, head coach Mike Petke made 10 changes to the team that drew 2-2 at Philadelphia last weekend – only Armando remained in the XI. They faced the bulk of Montreal’s A-team, who may be mathematically eliminated from MLS Playoffs contention by this weekend.
Having already cracked a shot against the post in the third minute, Ignacio Piatti set up Montreal’s opener fourteen minutes later. The Red Bulls cleared a free kick only half-heartedly, which gave ample time for Piatti to pick out Di Vaio with a long diagonal pass. Deemed just onside by the assistant, Di Vaio pulled the ball down and poked it past the onrushing Ryan Meara.
Montreal created a couple more opportunities in the first half, but the Red Bulls grew into the game and forced Evan Bush into some spectacular saves. New York nearly found an equalizer on 33 minutes as Richard Eckersley outjumped Calum Mallace to reach Eric Stevenson’s free kick, but Bush reacted brilliantly to tip the ball wide for a corner kick.
New York started the second half with similar resolve. Montreal dropped deeper, inviting pressure to launch an efficient counterattack. But the second half produced more cards than shots – costly cards at that.
Di Vaio picked up a second yellow card in this group stage and will miss the October 22 meeting between New York and Montreal at Red Bull Arena. Connor Lade, recalled from New York Cosmos this week for three games, was sent off for a second caution and will be uneligible next Wednesday.
But first, the Red Bulls host Seattle Sounders this Saturday, September 20, while Montreal will host the San Jose Earthquakes at the exact same time.
