Impact 2, Fire 2
(Lappalainen 22′, Urruti 66′) – (Beric 15′, Calvo 73′)
The Montreal Impact needed a win at Red Bull Arena, but could only muster up a point against the Chicago Fire on Saturday night.
Francisco Calvo’s second-half equalizer extended the Chicago Fire’s unbeaten run to three matches in a 2-2 draw.
The Impact looked destined to snapping its four match losing streak after Maxi Urruti put Thierry Henry’s side ahead after the hour mark. Urruti’s right-footed shot put the Impact ahead in the 66th minute, but Calvo would salvage a point for the Fire on the road.
Robert Beric opened things in the 14th minute for the Fire, finishing Djordje Mihailovic’s pass into the bottom-left corner. However, the lead didn’t last long as Lassi Lappalainen hit back for the hosts.
The Finnish international scored from close range in the 21st minute to tie things up.
After Urruti put the Impact ahead, Chicago had to dig deep for a point. Calvo, whose contract option was picked up for the 2021 season, headed home Alvaro Medran’s cross to earn his side a point on the road.
Man of the Match
Francisco Calvo came up with the goods for the Fire to earn them a point on the road. The veteran defender also won two individual duels in the match for the Fire in a match which moved them closer to a playoff spot.
Moment of the Match
Calvo’s equalizer: After Montreal took the lead, Chicago knew they would need to keep piling on pressure against the Impact’s backline. Calvo’s header proved to be the difference as frustration continued to Henry and his players.
Match to Forget
Clement Diop only made one save, while conceding twice in the match. He tried to punch Medran’s cross away, but missed as Calvo headed into the empty goal.
Revolution 0, Nashville SC 0
The New England Revolution had the better of the chances at Gillette Stadium, but dropped two points in a home draw with Nashville SC.
Bruce Arena’s side had four good looks in the second-half, but were unable to beat Joe Willis in goal for Nashville. Gustavo Bou was denied in the 48th minute before Tajon Buchanan was kept out twice more by Willis later in the half.
Randall Leal had Nashville’s only shot on goal in the 87th minute, but ultimately the sides had to settle for a point apiece.
Man of the Match
Walker Zimmerman. The USMNT defender turned in a steady shift, recording a match-high nine clearances to help Nashville contain the dangerous Revs attack.
Moment of the Match
Leal came close to stealing all three points for Nashville in the final minutes, but Matt Turner denied the winger for his only save of the night.
Match to Forget
Gustavo Bou led the Revolution attack, but only mustered two shots on goal. Neither truly troubled Willis in goal in what Arena will look back at as a missed opportunity.
Toronto FC 2, Union 1
(Akinola 58′, Pozuelo 76′) – (Santos 5′)
Toronto FC made it three wins in a row, downing the Philadelphia Union 2-1 in East Hartford, Connecticut.
Greg Vanney’s side fell down early, but fought back to claim an important win to move into a tie for first place in the Eastern Conference.
Sergio Santos’ chipped finish past Quentin Westberg gave Jim Curtin’s side a 1-0 lead in the opening five minutes, but after that it was all TFC.
Ayo Akinola equalized for TFC in the 58th minute after great service from Tony Gallacher. Gallacher was left wide open on the left flank, sending a cross in for Akinola to head past Andre Blake.
The Union’s defense let them down again in the 76th minute which proved to be the winning goal for TFC. Chris Mavinga headed towards the back post off a corner kick and Alejandro Pozuelo headed home the winning goal after being left wide open.
Philadelphia outshot TFC five-to-three on the evening, but could not fight back for a tie.
Man of the Match
Pozuelo: Pozuelo did not create as many chances as he normally does for TFC, but he came up with the winning goal for his side. Saturday’s victory could prove crucial in the race for the No. 1 spot.
Moment of the Match
TFC’s winning goal: After continuous offensive pressure, TFC got its winning goal through a defensive breakdown by the Union. Pozuelo was left open on the corner kick and made the Union pay for his third goal in as many matches.
Match to Forget
Jose Martinez: The Venezuelan normally is a physical presence in the Union midfield, but he was at fault on the winning goal for TFC. He did not pick up Pozuelo on the goal and ultimately lost five of his nine individual battles.
Dynamo 1, Sporting KC 2
(Junqua 84′) – (Pulido 34′, 73′)
Sporting KC ended its recent slide with a 2-1 road victory over the Houston Dynamo.
Alan Pulido came up with a brace for SKC, helping the club snap a two-match losing streak. Pulido’s first goal came in the 34th minute after Gianluca Busio started a counter attack. Busio connected with Pulido, who scored from the center of the box.
The duo connected once again in the 72nd minute with Pulido putting some room between the two sides. Busio set up Pulido, who shot high and past Marko Maric for his second goal of the match.
Sam Junqua pulled a goal back for the Dynamo late, but it was a mere consolation in an eventual defeat.
Man of the Match
Pulido showed his worth in the SKC attack, scoring twice and putting in a man of the match performance for Peter Vermes’ side.
Moment of the Match
Pulido’s second goal of the match proved to be the winning goal for SKC, who looked comfortable for most of the night.
Match to Forget
Mauro Manotas offered little in the Dynamo attack, failing to register a shot on goal in his 69 minute performance.
No comment about DC inserting a player at halftime that wasn’t on the match roster? MLS should do DC a favor and suspend Olsen for the rest of the season.