Orlando City SC vs. Impact de Montreal | March 16th, 2019

Orlando, FL – After opening the season with a pair of draws, Orlando City SC returned home Saturday seeking the first win of the season when it hosted Eastern Conference foe, the Montreal Impact for Week 3 of the 2019 MLS season. Unfortunately for the Lions, the Impact feasted early with two quick goals en route to a 3-1 victory. Before we get into the game any further, I’d like to take a second and congratulate our friend and Lemon City Live supporter, Bruce Silverman. Bruce is now the new radio voice for Orlando City SC after spending the last three years down here as the play by play voice of Miami FC. We wish you all the best up there buddy.

Back to the action. Ignacio “Nacho” Piatti continued to torch Orlando. Bagging a brace today. Nacho now has 10 goals and one assist through 10 career games vs. Orlando. Orji Okwonkwo got the Impact on the board first in the 14th minute with his first career MLS goal. The Nigerian on loan from Serie A club Bologna had a great game with his team-high seven shots to go with his goal.

The 1-0 lead doubled immediately after the ensuing kick off, as Orlando center back Shane O’Neill mis-hit a back pass into the path of Maximiliano Urruti. He was fouled as he rounded Lions’ goalkeeper Brian Rowe, only for Piatti to smash into the open net. Nacho would make it 3-0 in the 80th minute with his third goal of the young season.

Shhhhh! 🤫#IMFC #ORLvMTL pic.twitter.com/NTEUn41xCc

— CF Montréal (@cfmontreal) March 17, 2019

The Lions would get one back late. Dom Dwyer finally found his breakthrough in the 91st minute, as he tapped into an open net after some creative play from rookie forward from FIU, Santiago Patiño. It was too little too late, though. Impact improve to 2W-1L-0T while City drops to 0W-1L-2T. Now the season is still young, but the dreadful memory of last season still remains fresh in the players and fans minds alike. This isn’t the start that fans were expecting. Hopefully, Coach O’Connor can get the lads on the right track soon before 2018 creeps up again.

Coach's thoughts following #ORLvMTL. pic.twitter.com/eRYZdzOUCR

— Orlando City SC (@OrlandoCitySC) March 18, 2019

Goals

• 14′ – MTL – Orji Okwonkwo
• 15′ – MTL – Ignacio Piatti
• 80′ – MTL – Ignacio Piatti
• 91′ – ORL – Dom Dwyer

Next up for Orlando

March 23 at New York Red Bulls 7:30pm

Photo Credit | John Chapman Photo

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