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Crew remain winless following loss to Impact

Photo by Eric Bolte/USA TODAY Sports
Photo by Eric Bolte/USA TODAY Sports

In a clash of two teams littered with attacking talent, it was a a pair of unlikely goalscorers that extended the Columbus Crew’s season-opening winless run to five matches on Saturday night.

Hassoun Camara and Kyle Bekker each found the back of the net against the Crew, leading the Montreal Impact to a 2-0 victory on Saturday at the Olympic Stadium. The victory snaps a two-game losing streak for the hosts, while the Crew remain winless through the team’s fifth game of the season.

Just three minutes into the second half, the hosts found their breakthrough via a Camara header. On an out-swinging corner kick from Lucas Ontivero, Camara’s thunderous header from the center of the box was smashed past goalkeeper Steve Clark, giving the Impact the lone goal they would need to secure all three points.

Bekker’s finish provided some much-needed insurance in the 86th minute. The midfielder’s finish, his second in 43 career games, was also of the headed variety via an Ambroise Oyongo cross.

Although the Impact had the better of possession throughout the opening 45 minutes, the Crew their share of chances to produce a goal before halftime. Just eight minutes after providing Justin Meram on a shot that was smashed over the bar, Ethan Finlay scuffed a wide open look himself, sending the two teams into the locker room level at halftime. The Impact had chances of their own early, as Ontivero’s curler off the post proved the closest of the opening half.

Even following Camara’s tally, the Impact remained on the front foot in creating several chances on the opposition’s goal. Dominic Oduro created a chance to push the lead to two in the 56th minute, but the speedy forward’s open look at Clark was stonewalled by the Crew goalkeeper.

Midway through the first half, the Crew suffered a body blow with the loss of Gaston Sauro, who was removed in favor of Tyson Wahl in the 25th minute. Even with a stout defensive performance from the substitute, the team never produced enough on the attacking end to snag even a point from Saturday’s match.

Now back in the win column, the Impact look ahead to a visit to the Chicago Fire next Saturday, while  the Crew host New York City FC that same day.

MAN OF THE MATCH

Facing a still dangerous Crew attack, Hassoun Camara was rarely troubled all night. On the attacking end, the defender provided the eventual winner, capping off a top performance from the veteran Frenchman.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH

Given a chance to snatch the lead just before halftime, Ethan Finlay failed to test the goalkeeper in a one-on-one situation, paving the way for Camara’s opener just minutes into the second half.

MATCH TO FORGET

Now five games into the season, Kei Kamara’s struggles continue. The Crew forward still looks just a bit off his game and, at times, was dropping uncharacteristically deep. to get on the ball. Subbed off in the 70th minute, Kamara just hasn’t found any flow to start the season.

Comments

  1. It has to be the ugly uniforms, the guys are so embarrassed to be seen in them that they aren’t focused on the game.

    Reply
    • Seriously!! It’s time to bring out the banana kits again. I can’t stand looking at those pasty blue shorts anymore!

      They need to do something to get out of their funk. We hit a few more crossbars tonight, and definitely had enough chances to win the game. I keep on saying the goals will come, but man, I’m still waiting for them to focus up and start putting those chances away!!

      Reply

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