MONTREAL, Quebec(Aug. 16, 2017) – After a first-half scoring burst from the host side, the Chicago Fire (12-6-6, 41 pts.) were unable to secure a result in a 3-0 defeat to the Montreal Impact (9-8-6, 33 points) in Canada on Wednesday night.
The Impact got on the board early on courtesy of Ignacio Piatti. The Argentinian Designated Player collected the ball on a deflection played into the Fire 18-yard box, and put an open shot past goalkeeper Matt Lampson to make the score 1-0.
The home side increased their lead just before halftime, first when Matteo Mancosu drew a penalty on Lampson on a run into the box. Mancosu stepped up to take the ensuing spot kick and finished to push the score to 2-0 in the 37th minute. Piatti picked up a brace a minute later, finishing a one-v-one run in the Fire final third with a curling effort from outside the box.
The Fire controlled just under 70% of possession (67-33) on the night, but weren’t able to break through as the final 45 minutes played to a close and the the hosts picked up the 3-0 victory.
Of note was Homegrown midfielder Djordje Mihailovic’s inclusion in Saturday’s starting XI, marking the 18-year-old’s first start as a professional.
Defender Joao Meira exited the game in the fifth minute with a calf strain and was replaced by Christian Dean, who made his Fire debut.
The Fire return home for four of their the next five matches and six of their remaining 10, next welcoming Eastern Conference leaders Toronto FC to Toyota Park on Saturday, Aug. 19. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. CT CSN Chicago and Univision Chicago 1200AM.
MLS Regular Season
Chicago Fire (12-7-5, 41 pts.) 0:3 Montreal Impact (9-8-6, 33 points)
Aug. 16, 2017 – Stade Saputo
Attendance: 19,894
Scoring Summary:
MTL – Ignacio Piatti 6’
MTL – Matteo Mancosu (PK) 37’
MTL – Ignacio Piatti (Blerim Dzemaili) 38'
Misconduct Summary:
MTL – Victor Cabrera (Caution) 20’
CHI – Matt Lampson (Caution) 36’
MTL – Chris Duvall (Caution) 47’
MTL – Samuel Piette (Caution) 78'
Chicago Fire: Matt Lampson; Johan Kappelhof, Joao Meira (Christian Dean 5’), Jonathan Campbell, Patrick Doody; Bastian Schweinsteiger, Dax McCarty ©; Michael de Leeuw, Djordje Mihailovic (David Arshakyan 82’), David Accam; Nemanja Nikolic (Luis Solignac 63’).
Subs not used: Stefan Cleveland, Drew Conner, Juninho, Arturo Alvarez.
Shots: 10; Shots On-Goal: 2; Saves: 2; Fouls: 12; Corners: 5; Offsides: 6
Montreal Impact: Evan Bush, Chris Duvall, Victor Cabrera, Laurent Ciman, Daniel Lovitz, Patrice Bernier, Samuel Piette (Kyle Fisher 79’), Blerim Dzemaili (Louis Beland-Goyette 71’), Dominic Oduro, Ignacio Piatti (David Choiniere 74’), Matteo Mancosu.
Subs not used: Mazime Crepe, Shaun Francis, Anthony Jackson-Hamel, Michael Salazar.
Shots: 8; Shots On-Goal: 5; Saves: 2; Fouls: 11; Corners: 1; Offsides: 3
