MONTREAL — Orji Okwonkwo received two standing ovations in the span of three minutes.
After opening the score in the first half, Okwonkwo added a Goal of the Year worthy strike in the 66th minute to give the Montreal Impact a 2-1 win over the Portland Timbers. Three minutes later, he substituted off and to a second straight ovation.
“We win on this goal, it was surely the most difficult strike to put it in tonight.” Montreal coach Remi Garde said. “There were easier ones but it’s football, it’s like that.”
Okwonkwo recieved a back pass from Saphir Taider inside, made a 180 degree turn and without looking pulled a strike that sunk in the upper far side of the net.
“There’s nothing to describe, you only got to watch,” said Saphir Taider of his teammate’s goal.
Okwonkwo, who hadn’t played since picking up an injury on May 24 against LAFC, didn’t let a missed opportunity get to his head. At the 21st minute, the Nigerian hit a shot on the counterattack but Jeff Attinella’s hand got deflected the ball onto the post and flirted with the goal line. Seven minutes later, Okwonkwo got his goal back.
“I saw him working hard in training sessions and I knew he was ready,” Garde said. “I knew he was ready with the right mindset.”
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Renzo Zambrano gave the ball away to Bacary Sagna on the midfield line and the former French international sent Okwonkwo and overhead through pass. Using his pace, Okwonkwo distanced himself from Claude Dielna and beat Jeff Attinella with a shot towards the upper far post.
Okwonkwo gave credit to the Impact’s medical staff for his recovery and performance Wednesday night.
“Kudos to the physiotherapists, I think they did a very good job,” Okwonkwo said. “It was supposed to be six weeks but I came back after three. I appreciate the good work.”
Garde: A team effort regardless
Garde stressed that his team’s win was a collective effort despite Okwonkwo’s two goals. The Impact hadn’t played in three weeks and Garde anticipated that his squad would have issues regarding the rhythm of play.
“I knew that some would suffer but you need to know how to suffer,” said head coach Remi Garde. “Today we wanted to suffer for one another and we came through.”
The Frenchman also stressed the his team needed to stay focused against a Timbers team that didn’t feature many of their stars. Of the notable absentees were Brian Fernandez, Diego Valeri, Diego Chara and Sebastian Blanco.
“We know that for the players on the field it’s an opportunity and there is nothing to lose,” Garde said. “We really respected them and didn’t look at them from above.”
The Impact will now shift their focus to Atlanta United. The bleu-blanc-noir will travel to Mercedes Benz Stadium to take on the Five Stripes on Saturday.