Three points, two MLS debuts, and Jamiro Monteiro's first MLS goal as Philadelphia Union got back on track with a 3-0 drubbing of Montreal Impact at home on Saturday afternoon. Cory Burke opened the scoring in the 14th minute before Jamiro Monteiro added a second from the spot and Ale Bedoya punched one home for a goal in his second straight home match.
After Andre Blake injured his groin, Matt Freese made his MLS debut in net in the second half. Striker Kacper Przybylko also made his first MLS appearance for the Union, entering for Cory Burke in the second half.
Montreal Impact play a deep shape and look to counterattack after winning possession. This created a tight opening quarter of an hour. The Union sought to win the ball back quickly after losing it, and that strategy paid dividends in the 14th minute when Burke gathered a loose ball in the attacking half and drove at disorganized Impact defense. With Ilsinho pulling the defense wide, Burke fired a low drive into the far corner of Evan Bush’s goal to open the game up.
Montreal attempted to climb back into the game by attacking up the Union left and Orji Okwonkwo put a dangerous cross through the box only to see Andre Blake emerge from his line to snag it out of the air.
As the half wore on, the Union continued to win the ball in the middle third but Montreal’s defense, which had not allowed a goal in three matches prior to Burke’s breakthrough, held strong. It took until the final minute of the half for Philly to add a second, and when they did it came from the penalty spot.
During a corner kick, both Burke and Jack Elliott were corralled with arms by Impact defenders. Robert Sibiga shrugged and called the penalty. With Marco Fabian sidelined, Monteiro grabbed the ball and finished past a stranded Bush.
At the start of the second half, the teams had combined for four shots an Remi Garde made two substitutions as he sought to put a more dangerous lineup on the pitch.
Philly started the second frame with the same lineup that opened the match but Jim Curtin was forced into a quick change when Andre Blake injured his groin on a goal kick. Matt Freese made him MLS debut in Blake’s stead with Carlos Miguel Coronel slated to start for Bethlehem Steel in the second half of the day’s doubleheader. Freese did not face a shot on goal but controlled his box well.
Only minutes after Freese entered the match, Ale Bedoya added a third goal. After beautiful combination play down the right, the Union rotated play to Haris Medunjanin in the center. The Bosnian looked off the defense and lifted a ball over the top to Kai Wagner. The fullback’s cross was missed by Burke but Bedoya was at the far post to slot home.
Curtin added Fafa Picault and Kacper Przybylko — the latter’s MLS debut — to see the match out. Now Philadelphia takes the long trip to Vancouver to face the Whitecaps next Saturday at 5 p.m. ET. That match will be played live on PHL17.
