Apparently “ravaged” by international absences, the Impact faced a daunting task versus an unbeaten at home Sporting Kansas City. Instead, a lackluster starting line-up amazingly stood strong to grab a vital road point last Saturday evening at the Children's Mercy Park. Substitute Matteo Mancosu was apparently impressive as Montreal Impact held Sporting to a 1-1 stalemate.
Matteo Mancosu expertly launched a chip over Sporting goalie Tim Melia in the eighty-second minute to "negate" a twenty fourth minute tally from Sporting forward Gerso Fernandes.
Sporting Kansas completely controlled the first-half
Montreal Impact fervently fought-back from their early goal deficit in the last minutes of the encounter, but looked to throw it all away few minutes afterward. Montreal Impact fullback Chris Duvall was issued a red card for a “cynical” challenge on playmaker Roger Espinoza in the eighty sixth minute. While the hosts team apparently dominated much of the first-half to take the lead, it “lagged” behind Montreal Impact's rapid counter attack during most of the second period. Impact striker Ignacio Piatti “spearheaded” the quick offensive presence and eventually found himself in front of goal early in the second-half for the visitor's closest chance in the encounter.
Montreal Impact face off the match without its key players
Impact playmaker Ignacio Piatti was one of the few main option for the host. Montreal Impact missed half of its starting lineup due to international duty, including Ambroise Oyongo, Anthony Jackson Hamel, Patrice Bernier and Laurent Ciman. Things got worse just before the encounter, as midfielder Ballou Tabla got injured during the team's warm-ups, consequently forcing Dominic Oduro into the “emergency” start in the lineup.
The both team extends its unbeaten run.
Sporting Kansas City maintains their leadership in the Western Conference standings. Sporting has been “unbeatable” at home this year, and dropped points in only second of their seven games at home. While, the point for Montreal Impact extends their unbeaten run to three matches in a row, after winning the last two against New York and Portland.
Who's the man of the game?
Obviously, the Man of the Match was substitute Matteo Mancosu. He apparently spearheaded an impressive second-half for Montreal Impact with a brilliant goal in the eighty-second minute to level up the scoreline.
