• MLS – Montreal Impact 2 (Mancosu 61’, Tabla 89’), Chicago Fire 2 (Schweinsteiger 17’, Solignac 90’ + 3’)
GAME RECAP IN A SENTENCE
Bastian Schweinsteiger put in a man-of-the-match performance in his Major League Soccer debut, and Chicago scored an equalizer deep into injury time after it looked like Montreal had wrapped up its first win of the season.
THE NARRATIVE
The Impact are still searching for their first win of the campaign (one loss and three draws) after throwing away a late lead that was gifted to them by the Fire. Considering the absences of key starters Ignacio Piatti and Laurent Ciman (both out injured), this was a very valuable road point for Montreal. But coach Mauro Biello will no doubt be shaking his head after watching his team yet again fail to close out a game when they were on the verge of victory—the Impact conceded a late equalizer against Seattle in their home opener three weeks ago.
Bastian Schweinsteiger took only 17 minutes to score in his MLS debut, and the Fire dominated the lethargic-looking Impact for the better part of an hour. Then out of nothing, the visitors equalized when Chris Duvall delivered a ball deep into the box that Michael Harrington should have easily dealt with, but instead misjudged, and Matteo Mancosu was there to pounce.
Montreal enjoyed a brief man advantage when Juninho picked up his second yellow card in the 71st minute. Nine minutes later Impact defender Victor Cabrera was sent off for hauling down Luis Solignac. But then came another gift for Montreal in the final minute of regulation. Ballou Jean-Yves Tabla took a pass from captain Patrice Bernier and fired a shot from 20 yards out that somehow managed to beat Chicago goalkeeper Jorge Bava inside the near post. Tabla’s effort took a deflection, but it was still a shot that Bava should have comfortably saved.
Montreal’s celebrations were short-lived, though. Solignac latched on to a great pass from Dax McCarty and scored on a lovely half-volley deep into injury time to put an exclamation point on what turned out to be a wild contest at Toyota Park.
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KEY MOMENT
90’ + 3’ GOAL! Montreal 2-2 Chicago: Montreal appeared to have the game up sewn up with Ballou Jean-Yves Tabla’s goal in the 89th minute, but Chicago substitute Luis Solignac had other ideas. The Argentine expertly chested down a pass from Dax McCarty and then hit a sublime half volley from 20 yards out that beat Impact goalkeeper Evan Bush at the near post. Montreal defender Wandrille Lefevre could have done a much better job of closing down Solignac, but it was still a marvelous piece of skill from the Chicago forward.
TALKING POINT
Why can’t the Impact defend set pieces? It was their undoing throughout last year’s regular season and playoffs, and it continues to plague them in the current campaign. Twice within the opening 10 minutes, Schweinsteiger found teammates off corner kicks wide open at the top of the box, giving them clear looks on net. On Schweinsteiger’s goal, Chicago played a short corner and was allowed to work the ball down low before David Accam played a great cross into the box for the German to nod home.
QUICK TAKE
Chicago’s signing of Schweinsteiger was met with a lot of criticism, the general feeling being that the 32-year-old German who washed out at Manchester United was past it and was just another aging star coming to MLS in order to cash in before retiring. His ability to adapt to life in MLS was also questioned. Schweinsteiger may be 32, but he’s a young 32. It’s only one game, so it’s far too early to make any bold predictions. But he still has plenty gas left in the tank, especially after being under-utilized at United, and there’s every reason to believe he’s going to fit in just fine in MLS.
STANDOUT STAT
MAN OF THE MATCH
Bastian Schweinsteiger, Chicago FC: The German was absolutely sensational in his MLS debut, scoring the opening goal, routinely playing teammates into dangerous scoring positions, and generally showing his class in central midfield. The German World Cup winner influenced the match from start to finish, making exactly the kind of impact the Fire were hoping for when they signed him. If this is what we can expect from Schweinsteiger going forward, then it’s safe to say he’s going to be an impact player in this league.
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