The Montreal Impact defeated a spirited D.C. United 2-1 at the Stade Saputo Aug. 17. United still has not recorded a victory away from RFK Stadium this season.
Montreal’s star striker Marco Di Vaio scored both of the Impact’s goals, while D.C. United’s young striker Conor Doyle grabbed one of his own.
However, the most interesting event of the game happened off the field in the 75th minute when both D.C and Montreal coaches Ben Olsen and Marco Schallibaum got in a scuffle after a foul by United James Riley on Montreal midfielder Justin Mapp.
The altercation between the coaches left them watching the rest of the game from the locker room with likely suspensions to come.
When the two teams met earlier in the month, D.C. United (3-17-4, 13 points) shocked the league and defeated the Impact (11-7-5, 38 points) 3-1. It was the first game in which United Head Coach Ben Olsen decided to give some young, up-and-coming players a real shot.
From the very start of the game, Montreal went forward with intensity.
The young D.C. attack was unable to put anything together as Montreal took advantage of the shaky D.C. backline, but was unable to score until right before the end of the first half.
In the 43rd minute, Montreal midfielder Justin Mapp made a strong run down the right wing, swiftly crossing the ball into the box where Di Vaio freed himself and blasted a curving effort to the top right corner of Bill Hamid’s goal.
D.C. took the field for the second half as a more aggressive team, inspired to turn the pace of events.
With a significant contribution from newcomer Luis Silva, D.C. United had chances on goal in the 52nd and 64th minute when Silva almost evened the score, but Impact goalkeeper Troy Perkins kept both shots out of the goal.
Moments later in the 81st minute, D.C. scored as Silva slotted the ball left toward Conor Doyle, who then struck the ball at the lower right corner of the goal with his left foot. Impact goalie Troy Perkins couldn’t get a hand to it and D.C. was level.
However, D.C. seemed to still be celebrating in the 83rd minute, allowing the Impact to score the winning goal. With only two defenders in the back, Di Vaio made a run on the left flank after Patrice Bernier played him the ball, beating his defender quickly. He then curved the ball toward the top of the box, past a diving Hamid and for the win.
Both teams return to action Aug. 24 as D.C. United will return home to RFK Stadium to face Toronto FC.
sports@theeagleonline.com
