Piatti scores twice in fourth straight win
Montreal kicks past Salt Lake to grab playoff spot
The Impact are in a playoff position for the first time this season, but goalkeeper Evan Bush doesn’t want his side to get complacent.
Montreal beat Real Salt Lake 3-1 on Saturday, extending its winning streak to four games.
The victory propelled Mauro Biello’s men into sixth place and the final playoff position in the MLS Eastern Conference standings.
Three weeks ago, Montreal was 10th in the East and eight points away from a playoff spot.
“It gives us the belief that there’s something there that’s attainable,” said Bush, who made five saves against Real Salt Lake.
Montreal, which has won seven of its last eight games on home soil in Major League Soccer, is on its first four-game winning streak since March 2013.
“You work hard every day to achieve success and right now the team is in a good rhythm and playing well,” Biello said.
“I see the team growing in confidence.”
Ignacio Piatti, who is in contract negotiations with the Impact, scored twice for the second straight game.
He has now scored in four consecutive matches.
Piatti gave the Impact a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute on a two-onone with Blerim Dzemaili. He got his second of the night in the 29th minute, just three minutes after Real Salt Lake scored the equalizer.
Piatti danced his way around defender Tony Beltran’s slide tackle in the box and fired a left-footed shot into the far corner of the net from a nearly impossible angle.
The 19,541 in attendance at Saputo Stadium were convinced Piatti completed the hat trick in the 56th minute, but his goal was called back for being offside.
“There were a lot of people who were pessimists three weeks ago,” said Hassoun Camara, who had not played since July 5.
“But we’ve stayed focused and are giving everything we have.”
Anthony Jackson-Hamel got the other goal in the 47th minute, combining with fellow homegrown player Louis Beland- Goyette. Montreal (10-8-6) has now scored three goals in three consecutive games for the first time in franchise history.
“We’re having so much fun on the pitch,” said Jackson-Hamel. “The team is larger than life right now and the atmosphere is incredible.”
Luis Silva scored for Real Salt Lake (8-13-5) in the 26th minute, ending Bush’s shutout streak at 284 minutes. Real Salt Lake is 0-30 all-time in Montreal.
“I think we got caught flatfooted,” said Real Salt Lake coach Mike Petke.
“But I actually think we did a decent job tonight on Piatti and he still has two goals. He’s a special player and my hat goes off to him.”
You work hard every day to achieve success and right now the team is in a good rhythm ... I see the team growing in confidence.