MONTREAL – So far, so good at Stade Saputo.
The Montreal Impact have now scored eight goals in two games at their new home thanks to an entertaining 4-2 win over the Houston Dynamo. Montreal’s Sanna Nyassi and Davy Arnaud, and Houston’s Brad Davis and Will Bruin traded goals in a frantic first half before Hassoun Camara and Patrice Bernier closed the deal for the Impact.
The first goal of the game was set up when Felipe released Nyassi into space behind the Houston defense. As the Gambian international tried to round Tally Hall, he stumbled and fell down on the grass but had time to lift his head and see the ball somehow trickle into the empty net. Nyassi could have gotten a second in the 14th minute, but was unable to finish from the outside of his foot.
Despite not creating much after Nyassi’s goal, Houston got an opportunity to equalize when Bernier tripped Colin Clark on the edge of the box. Davis unleashed a left-footed curler towards the top right corner which Donovan Ricketts got a hand on but could not fully stop.
The Impact wasted no time in getting back in front: Jeb Brovsky released Justin Mapp on the left of the box, where he crossed towards Arnaud who out-jumped Corey Ashe to nod the ball in.
Down a goal again, Houston rallied better this time around and managed good possession. Bruin’s sixth road goal this campaign – and his ninth overall – was well deserved. Brian Ching’s through ball, his third assist of the season, was exquisite.
After the break, Montreal came back from the locker room with extra determination. Montreal's pressure between the 45th and 60th minutes yielded six corners, the last of which produced Camara’s winning volley into the top left corner.
The Dynamo did not help themselves afterwards. Geoff Cameron conceded a penalty which Patrice Bernier duly converted to make it 4-2, while Adam Moffat was issued a straight red card for a rough foul on Felipe in the 73rd minute.
The Dynamo will be back in action next Saturday as they host the Philadelphia Union, while the Impact will welcome Marco Di Vaio into their squad against archrivals Toronto FC on Wednesday at Stade Saputo.
Montreal Impact (5-8-3) vs. Houston Dynamo (5-5-5)
June 23, 2012 – Saputo Stadium, Montreal, QC - Attendance: 12,357
Scoring Summary:
MTL – Sanna Nyassi 2 (Felipe Martins, Patrice Bernier) 4
HOU – Brad Davis 3 (unassisted) 16
MTL – Davy Arnaud 3 (Justin Mapp, Jed Brovsky)
HOU — Will Bruin 9 (Brian Ching) 45
MTL — Hassoun Camara 1 (Davy Arnaud, Felipe Martins) 60
MTL – Patrice Bernier 3 (penalty) 67
Houston Dynamo – Tally Hall; Andre Hainault, Bobby Boswell, Geoff Cameron, Corey Ashe; Colin Clark (Brian Ownby 62), Adam Moffat, Je-Vaughn Watson (Luiz Camargo 51), Brad Davis; Will Bruin, Brian Ching (Warren Creavalle 81)
Substitutes not used: Tyler Deric, Nathan Sturgis, Cam Weaver, Macoumba Kandji
Montreal Impact – Donovan Ricketts; Zarek Valentin, Hassoun Camara, Nelson Rivas (Shavar Thomas 62) Jeb Brovsky; Davy Arnaud (Sinisa Ubiparipovic 88), Felipe, Patrice Bernier, Collen Warner, Justin Mapp; Sanna Nyassi (Eduardo Sebrango 88)
Subs not used: Evan Bush, Tyson Wahl, Lamar Neagle, Justin Braun
Misconduct Summary: HOU – Colin Clark (caution) 44; HOU – Bobby Boswell (caution) 68; MTL – Davy Arnaud (caution) 72; Adam Moffat (ejection) 73; MTL – Felipe Martins (dive) 90
Referee: Jose Carlos Rivero
Assistant referees: Chris Strickland, Eric Proctor
4th Official: Mark Kadlecik
