Sean Maslin (August 9th,2015:) Soccer sometimes is a simple game. Take one shot, score one goal, and hope for the best. Despite being out-shot 25-1 and being forced to defend for their lives at times D.C. United did just enough to escape Stade Saputo in Montreal, Quebec, Canada with a win and three points. An early Chris Rolfe put United ahead and proved to be the difference-maker in their 1-0 victory over the Montreal Impact.
Rolfe’s goal came in the 13th minute off of a breakaway opportunity set up by Jairo Arrieta. Arrieta intercepted a pass by defender Victor Cabrera and beat Impact center-back Wandrille Lefevre. Arrieta’s pass found a surging Rolfe who hit a low shot through the legs of Impact goalkeeper Evan Bush. The goal was Rolfe’s ninth of the season and put him two goals ahead of Arrieta for the team lead.
Despite being down a goal early, the Impact attack maintained their composure and had several promising opportunities to equalize. In the 34th minute Impact forward Andres Romero found himself on a one on one opportunity with just United goalkeeper Bill Hamid to beat. Romero’s shot was on target but Hamid made an excellent read on the trajectory of the shot and was able to make the save.
The second half would provide more opportunities to even the score. Led by the Ignacio Piatti-Dominic Oduro partnership the Impact would use their advantage in speed and counter-attacking ability to put the United defense on their heels. Piatti found Oduro in open space in the 72nd with a ball in space down the left flank. Oduro’s surging run to goal continued unabated until Hamid made the sprawling save. A Piatti shot just four minutes later would also be saved by Hamid.
Impact midfielder Johan Venegas would have a promising crack at goal in the 84th minute. However, like the rest of his teammates, he would ultimately be denied by Hamid. Hamid in his first match back after knee and wrist surgery made 8 saves and did not seem to have any rust after missing the last month of action.
D.C. United now sits 10 points above Columbus Crew SC for first place in the Eastern Conference (13-7-5, 44 points). They will travel to Yankee Stadium on Thursday night for the first time in club history and take on New York City FC.
For Montreal (8-9-4, 28 points) keeps them stuck in sixth place in the Eastern Conference standings. The club will need to regroup quickly from this setback as they will be hosting the Vancouver Whitecaps in the Amway Canadian Championships on Wednesday.
