ASN: Montreal Survives Azteca, Secures Spectacular Draw

Membership America dominated play on the Azteca Stadium in Mexico Metropolis, however the Montreal Influence held on for a powerful 1-1 draw within the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League ultimate.

BY

Brian Sciaretta

Posted
April 23, 2015
9:35 AM

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AGAINST ALL ODDS the CONCACAF Champions League will return to Montreal’s Olympic Stadium with the Influence nonetheless in competition due to a outstanding 1-1 draw in opposition to Membership America on the Azteca Stadium in Mexico Metropolis. Whereas Membership America had the vast majority of alternatives, the Influence fought arduous and held on for the consequence.

Montreal was extensively thought-about to be the heavy underdog within the sport given its last-place MLS end in 2014 and its abysmal document of simply seven wins in its final 47 MLS video games. Regardless of that, the Quebec-based crew managed to qualify for the continental event by profitable the 2014 Canadian Championship, the place it snuck previous the NASL aspect FC Edmonton and a troubled Toronto FC crew.

Montreal elected to play counterattacking soccer to begin the match, permitting Membership America to manage the vast majority of possession. Within the sixteenth minute, nonetheless, the Influence’s Dominic Oduro made a transfer down the the precise aspect of discipline and delivered a cross into the field. The move was directed to Dilly Duka however the New Jersey native let the ball roll previous him the place it discovered an open Ignacio Piatti who beat Membership America keeper Moises Munoz and gave Montreal a 1-0 lead.

Within the thirty fourth minute, Membership America had its finest alternative of the primary half however it was Ohio native Evan Bush who got here up with the diving save to his proper aspect. Shortly afterward, Membership America practically equalized once more with a objective that was known as again with a really shut offside name.

Probably the most controversial second of the sport got here within the forty fifth minute when Montreal had yet one more superb counterattacking probability. Oduro received in behind the protection and was pulled down by America defender Paul Aguilar. Each replay confirmed Aguilar was the final defender and he fouled Oduro from behind. As an alternative of a crimson card, which the principles clearly state ought to be given in that circumstance, Aguilar was solely proven a yellow by Honduran referee Hector Rodriguez. To make issues worse, Montreal was not even allowed to take the nook kick following the play with Rodriguez as a substitute electing to blow the halftime whistle.

Within the second half, Membership America continued to dominate possession. The sport seemed to be a battle of wills. Would Montreal run out of gasoline and collapse like so many opponents do at Azteca or would Membership America loses persistence and run out of concepts?

Membership America stepped up within the ultimate 10 minutes and several other of its probabilities missed by solely the narrowest of margins—one hit the crossbar and several other different flew simply vast.

Within the 89th minute, the house crew discovered its equalizer when Oribe Peralta, who entered the sport on the half, headed dwelling a Rubens Sambueza free kick from the precise aspect. America continued to push in stoppage time and got here shut however ultimately the whistle blew and the sport ended at 1-1.

Regardless of permitting the late equalizer, the 1-1 consequence was a tremendous achievement for Montreal at a offered out Azteca the place many anticipated a lopsided consequence. Membership America actually might have received handily due to a 10-1 photographs on objective benefit and a 16-2 edge in corners. However Montreal’s objective was to outlive, and it did.

Membership America stays the favourite heading into the second leg in Montreal, however that sport ought to be extra aggressive. The Influence could have an infinite dwelling discipline benefit and 59,000 followers supporting the crew.

No MLS crew has ever received the CONCACAF Champions League in its present format and nearly nobody would have anticipated Montreal to be inside 90 minutes of the title. That’s the actuality, nonetheless, and the title can be determined April 29 on the Olympic Stadium.