Dzemaili’s first MLS goal gives win against Red Bulls

First MLS goal for Impact wins game

If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.

That old adage paid off for Blerim Dzemaili on Saturday night as the Swiss international scored in the 67th minute to provide the Impact with the only goal it would need in a 1-0 win over the New York Red Bulls at Saputo Stadium.

Dzemaili, who had a goal called back in the first half on an offside violation, combined with Ignacio Piatti on a give-and-go play and beat Luis Robles with a low shot from 15 yards out. It was his first MLS goal since joining the Impact.

Coach Mauro Biello said Dzemaili, who also scored in the Canadian Championship semifinal win over Vancouver, is only getting started.

“He’s found a good combination with (Piatti) and there’s a lot of good things coming once he understands the league and his teammates,” Biello said. “He’s going to help this team tremendously.”

Evan Bush produced his second shutout of the season and it was his first clean sheet at home. The Red Bulls had 11 shots, but only three were on target and only four were from inside the box.

“Defensively, not only the back four, but the whole team worked their butts off tonight,” Bush said.

He was tested in the fifth minute by the high-scoring Bradley Wright-Phillips — a sequence that left him with a bump on the head — but said most of the other New York chances were from outside.

“It’s a sign of good defending,” Bush said. “A lot of times this season, guys were getting shots from six yards out. We’re comfortable giving up shots from 20, 25 yards. The team trusts me in those situations and I trust myself. If we can keep the game in front of us, we can continue this way.”

Biello inserted Victor Cabrera as a fifth defender down the stretch and that limited New York’s chances.

“They had possession in the last 15 minutes, but they weren’t able to penetrate,” Biello said.

There was one scare in added time at the end of the game. Impact captain Patrice Bernier was playing a ball near the sidelines when he lost his balance and fell backward into the dugout.

“He hurt his back, but mostly he was winded and scared,” Biello said.

There were no goals in the first half, but Dzemaili thought he had given the Impact the lead in the 30th minute. He picked up a through ball in the middle of the box and put it behind Robles. But the Montreal celebration was short-lived when Dominic Oduro was wiped out and the officials ruled Oduro screened Robles while in an offside position.

The Impact missed another opportunity in the 39th minute when Dzemaili put a cross into the box off a set piece, but Laurent Ciman’s header was high and to the right.

The Impact’s next three MLS games are on the road, but the Impact will be at home on June 21 when they meet Toronto FC in the first leg of the Canadian Championship final.