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Montreal Impact

Takeaways from Montreal Impact’s 2-1 win over Portland Timbers

Orji Okwonkwo and Bacary Sagna form solid partnership on the Impact’s right flank.

After a 45-minute rain delay, the Montreal Impact finally got to start the second half of their season. Two goals from Orji Okwonkwo were enough to grab a 2-1 win over the Portland Timbers at Stade Saputo. 

Here are three takeaways from the Impact’s first game since the June break:

Slumping Urruti

Maxi Urruti was the Impact’s biggest signing of the off-season. The Argentine came from FC Dallas via trade and signed a brand new contract worth $1,071,000 according to the MLS Players Union.  There are more question marks than ever regarding the Impact’s de facto number nine heading into the second half of the season.

Urruti played in 18 of the Impact’s 19 games so far, starting 17 of them and yet has only one goal to show for. His lone goal came from the penalty spot in a 2-1 win over the New York Red Bulls.

“Regarding Maxi, it’s a question of confidence probably,” Garde said of his striker. “But I’m sure that the next one will be inside the net.”

There are currently five Impact players with more goals than Urruti with 19 games played: Saphir Taider (7), Orji Okwonkwo (4), Ignacio Piatti (3), Omar Browne (2) and Anthony Jackson-Hamel (2). 

Sagna-Okwonkwo: Solid partnership on the right

Orji Okwonkwo had some adapting to do since coming in on loan from Bologna. The Nigerian came in after the Impact’s training camp and injuries forced him in the starting lineup soon after his arrival. 

“It’s not like Italy where you need to do a lot of tactics. Here you have to run and run and run,” Okwonkwo said of MLS. 

During Wednesday’s game, Okwonkwo was paired up with Bacary Sagna along the right flank. The partnership gave dividends as Sagna assisted Okwonkwo’s first goal of the game. 

“Before the game he told me: ‘You have to listen to me,'” Okwonkwo said. “He’s a professional, he played for Arsenal and Manchester City so I think he knows more.”

After the game, Okwonkwo came to the conclusion that he will listen to the former French international “every time.” 

Impact mentally strong

Despite the Timbers leaving most of their star players at home, the Impact could have slipped in their first game since the June break.

One of Garde’s biggest concerns was the lack of in-game rhythm his team had heading into Wednesday night. Garde lamented the fact that the team had to cancel a friendly with USL Championship affiliate Ottawa Fury during Tuesday’s training session. 

The Impact were forced to wait for just under 45 minutes due to a rain delay. Without a few of their stars as well, Montreal managed to pull all three points despite the possible excuses. Garde attributes the win to the mental toughness of his squad. 

“It was difficult to get back into the action after three week and face players that had played either with the reserves or the first team,” Garde said. “The players’ mindset this time got us to overturn certain situations and fix them. I’m very satisfied with tonight’s showing.”