The Montreal Impact did not play flawlessly against the Philadelphia Union on Saturday night. In fact, the Union were the better team in many aspects of the match, keeping the ball and creating chances, but the Impact were better where it mattered -- finish. Two expert finishes by Andrew Wenger and Felipe Martins were all that Montreal needed to best Philadelphia, 2-0, and take all three points at Stade Saputo.
Montreal Impact Vs. Philadelphia Union, 2012 MLS: Great Finishing Hands Impact Win
Philadelphia was certainly the better team in the first half and had they gone into the break level they probably would have felt hard done so when Wenger scored just before halftime, the Union were probably heartbroken. The Impact took their corner with a square ball to the edge of the box, where Patrice Bernier hit a cross into the mixer. Wenger was able to get to it at the penalty spot and snap a good header into the corner of the net that left Zac MacMath no chance.
Down a goal, the Union pressed for an equalizer and once again looked the better side, but once again it resulted in nothing. They hit the post in the first half and had several more chance in the second, but it didn’t pay off.
In the 69th minute, things got dirty. Unhappy with Antoine Hoppenot's physical play, Nelson Rivas headbutted Hoppenot and sparked a fight in the middle of the field. Jack McInerney got involved and knocked Rivas over and when it was all sorted out, Rivas and McInerney were both sent off.
Playing 10v10, the Union looked like it did with 11 men. They were bright, but nothing came of it and then the Impact got them again with some great finishing.
Hassoun Camara started the play with a cross from the right, but it was behind Felipe and near the top of the box. 98 times out of 100 it wouldn't have been even a little bit of a dangerous ball, but this time it was because Felipe was able to hit a sensational scissor kick on the volley to beat MacMath for the exclamation point on a good three points for Montreal.
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