CARSON, California – The Montreal Impact beat the LA Galaxy by a score of 3-0 in preseason action on Tuesday, at the Home Depot Center. Midfielders Sanna Nyassi and Evan James, along with defender Zarek Valentin, scored for the Impact.
Nyassi opened the scoring in the 37th minute when his shot deflected off an LA Galaxy defender and beat the goalkeeper, Josh Saunders, by catching him going the wrong way.
Valentin then doubled the lead in the 51st minute with a solid strike from about 30 metres out,
James took advantage of a cross from forward Miguel Montano during stoppage time to make the score 3-0 versus the defending MLS Cup champions.
Impact head coach Jesse Marsch was pleased with the intensity of his side.
“As an expansion side, it's important to handle these games the right way”” he said. “I'm happy with the effort we put out today and we now need to continue playing in an intelligent way.”
Goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts earned the shutout against his former team, making a few key saves to keep his team in the game.
“It brings back memories to be here in Los Angeles, but now I'm with a different team,” said the Jamaican keeper. “We're working well and we hope to continue our progress to be well prepared for the start of the season.”
More Scoring Chances
Eduardo Sebrango came close to opening the score in the 25th minute, lobbing the goalie, but the referee called the play offside.
Brazilian midfielder Felipe’s shot, which came from a Davy Arnaud pass, was stopped by Josh Saunders.
Miguel Montano also had a good scoring chance in the 48th minute, but his shot missed the target.
As for the Galaxy, LA’s best scoring chance came in the 40th minute when a David Beckham free-kick hit the crossbar. A Jack McBean opportunity was also foiled in the 73rd minute by Ricketts.
Lineup
MTL - Donovan Ricketts, Zarek Valentin, Shavar Thomas (Nevio Pizzolitto 74'), Tyson Wahl, Josh Gardner (Jeb Brovksy 61'), Sanna Nyassi, Felipe, Patrice Bernier (Collen Warner 74'), Davy Arnaud (Evan James 74'), Eduardo Sebrango (Aaron Schoenfeld 74'), Miguel Montaño
LA - Josh Saunders (Nick Noble 46’); Bryan Jordan (Justin Davies 51’), A.J. DeLaGarza, Tommy Meyer (Bryan Gaul 62’), Todd Dunivant (J.T. Murray 62’); Kyle Nakazawa (Hector Jimenez 46’), David Beckham (Dan Keat 62’), Marcelo Sarvas (Kenney Walker 62’), Michael Stephens (Jack McBean 62’); Paolo Cardozo (Pat Noonan 46’), Edson Buddle (Adam Cristman 62’).
Goals
MTL – Sanna Nyassi 37'
MTL - Zarek Valentin 51'
MTL - Evan James (Miguel Montaño) 92+
Cautions
MTL – Sanna Nyassi 56'
LA – Jack McBean 68'
MON – Felipe Martins 86'
Loss to Chivas USA
The Impact fell to Chivas USA 1-0 in its second game of the day, a match of two 30-minute halves.
Chivas scored the only goal of the game when forward Casey Townsend pounced on a Ryan Smith cross in the 2nd minute.
Forward Steven Miller came close to equalizing for the Impact but his shot was stopped by the Chivas goalkeeper Brian Rowe. Defender Nevio Pizzolito also a good scoring opportunity in the 55th minute but his header went straight into the keeper's hands.
The Impact, which has an overall record of 3-1-3 so far this preseason, will end its California tour on Friday against the UCLA Bruins of the NCAA and Ventura County Fusion of the USL Premier Development League.
Lineup vs Chivas USA
MTL - Greg Sutton (Evan Bush 30'), Jeb Brovsky (Calum Mallace 33'), Nevio Pizzolitto, Gienir Garcia, Simon Gatti, Evan James, Collen Warner (Bryan Arguez 30'), Sinisa Ubiparipovic, Gerson Mayen, Aaron Schoenfeld, Steven Miller
CHV - Brian Rowe (Patrick McLain 30'), David Junior Lopes, RJ Allen, Fabian Kling, Peter Vagenas, Ben Zemanski (Blair Gavin 30), Ryan Smith, Ledesma, Cesar Romero, Casey Townsend (Chris Cortez 40'), Miller Bolaños (Markie Delgado 30')
Goal
CHV - Casey Townsend (Ryan Smith) 2'
Cautions
CHV - Allen 17'
MTL - Gatti 18'
