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MLS Club de Foot Montreal

Impact Rallies to 2-2 Draw with Vancouver in First Leg of Finals

August 12, 2015 - Major League Soccer (MLS)
Club de Foot Montreal News Release


MONTREAL - The Montreal Impact rallied from a two-goal deficit to tie the Vancouver Whitecaps FC 2-2, Wednesday at Stade Saputo, in the first leg of the Amway Canadian Championship finals aggregate goal series.

"We got into some good spots in the final third, but then we were a little bit too predictable," said Impact head coach Frank Klopas. "I was very happy to see us keep pushing. We gave ourselves an opportunity now. 2-0 would have been a disaster, so we still have everything to play for."

"I have confidence. If we play the way we played tonight, we can win," said defender Wandrille Lefèvre. "It was important to find some goals and be rewarded for the good work we did in creating plays."

Vancouver's Darren Mattocks scored the opening goal in the 65th minute when he finished a perfectly placed low cross through the box by Kianz Froese far post.

Things looked bleak when the 'Caps went up by two in the 72nd minute. Pedro Morales curled a tough angle free kick past Impact goalkeeper Eric Kronberg short side, who collided with the post as he tried to make the stop.

The Bleu-blanc-noir kept pushing, and in the 84th minute, found one when a Marco Donadel corner kick hit a charging Laurent Ciman, who pounded his header home just under the bar.

One minute later, second half substitutes Justin Mapp, making his first start since March 7, and Anthony Jackson-Hamel, linked up to tie the game when the veteran played a cheeky lateral ball through the box for the rookie, who redirected it first time for his first career goal.

"You obviously don't want to give up two goals at home, but we never hung our heads," said Justin Mapp. "Now we can go there and we have given ourselves a chance to do what we've already done before."

Other highlights

IMFC found its first scoring chance just three minutes in when a beautiful passing play between Duka, Oduro and Venegas found Tissot alone down the left flank, but his low shot hit the far post. Moments later, the Canadian international got on the end of a Donadel free kick played short post, but redirected it over the bar.

Anthony Jackson-Hamel almost brokethrough earlier in the game when he found some room in the 76th minute, but his low blast from in close was blocked by goalkeeper Paolo Tornaghi.

The return and final match of this year's championship will air live on Wednesday, August 26, at 10pm ET on Sportsnet One, Sportsnet World and TVA Sports. But before that, the Impact will host the Philadelphia Union at Stade Saputo on August 22, at 8pm (tickets).

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Major League Soccer Stories from August 12, 2015


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