The Impact has to settle for a draw in Costa Rica

(San José) After a halftone preparatory schedule, the Montreal Impact almost caused a big surprise, but finally had to settle for a 2-2 draw against Deportivo Saprissa in the first leg of the eighths of the final of the Concacaf Champions League tournament on Wednesday evening at the Ricardo Saprissa stadium.

Posted on February 19, 2020, 7:38 p.m.




Updated at 10:10 p.m.

Michel Lamarche
The Canadian Press

Whitened in the first half in each of their five preparatory games, Thierry Henry’s players struck twice in 10 minutes, courtesy of Orji Okwonkwo and newcomer Romell Quioto.

In the second half, the Impact did little more than defend itself, which it almost managed to do thanks to a lively and alert Clément Diop in front of the net.

During those 45 minutes, the Saprissa fired 18 shots at Diop, 11 of which hit the target. Diop yielded only to Impact former Johan Venegas at 80^e minute, then in front of Jonathan Martinez, 10 minutes later.

In addition to missing out on a two-goal lead, the Impact could have been knocked out of the game. In the first half, Henry was forced to use two of his three changes after losing defender Rudy Camacho and Okwonkwo. They were replaced by Joel Waterman and Maximiliano Urruti. Quioto in turn left the match at 71^e minute, and has been replaced by Ballou Tabla.

The return match will be presented next Wednesday at the Olympic Stadium and the Impact leaves with a substantial advantage thanks to two goals scored abroad.

Enthusiastic crowd

The match did not start in front of a packed house, but that does not mean that the spectators present were not ignited.

In no way hindered by a swirling wind in the stadium of modest stature or by the fine drizzle that fell, the supporters of Saprissa began to manifest themselves a few minutes before the start of the match, singing aloud, supported by a fanfare that had taken place in the South section, usually reserved for members of Ultra Morada. The chants got louder when the local players showed up on the playing surface.

This enthusiasm did not necessarily translate into an explosive departure from Saprissa, faced with a party that had decided to call on five defenders to protect the fortress of Diop.

The first good chances to score came in the sixth minute, one on each side. The first belonged to the Impact, but Bojan’s shot flew over the crossbar. Shortly after, Ricardo Blanco narrowly missed the target for the Saprissa.

Some six minutes later, the Montreal squad managed to dampen the enthusiasm of Costa Rican fans, helped by a monumental blunder by David Guzman just outside their penalty area.

Guzman simply directed the ball towards Quioto, who passed it to Bojan, posted a few yards from him. Bojan’s shot was blocked by an opposing defender, but the ball rebounded towards Okwonkwo, who shot a powerful shot that gave Aaron Cruz, a defender in the top end of the net, to his right, no chance.

Then at 22^e minute, Quioto scored his first goal in Impact uniform. After receiving a clear pass from Bojan, Quioto appeared on the left flank, easily entered the penalty area before placing the ball over Cruz.

The Saprissa, however, turned things around in the second half.