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Piatti, own goal help Impact beat Orlando City 2-0

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ORLANDO, Fla. — Same opponent, same result.

Montreal notched its second win against Orlando City in 10 days as the Impact topped the Lions 2-0 on Saturday night.

Orlando (6-8-1) fired its head coach Jason Kreis and last week, but interim manager Bobby Murphy was unable to produce a different outcome as the team lost a franchise-record seven consecutive game. The Lions have conceded 19 goals during that span.

Montreal (5-11-0) has won two in a row — both against Orlando City, which the Impact beat 3-0 on June 13 — and three of its last four.

"I think it was a tough game because we knew that the new manager in charge probably gave more than the team had before, because it's always the case when you change the manager," said Impact head coach Remi Garde.

"We had a solid game, we played very compact in a deep block. And then when we gained the ball, we had many opportunities. We didn't score more goals, but I think at the end we deserved the win."

Ignacio Piatti scored his third goal in the last two games to lead the Impact.

Montreal jumped ahead on Orlando City's own goal in the 13th minute. Defender Lamine Sane's header redirected a cross by Montreal's Matteo Mancuso past goalkeeper to open the scoring.

Orlando City captain Jonathan Spector said the mistake sapped any of the club's early momentum.

"It's a fluke and it's a really bad way to start the game," he said.

"Too many times we've given up early goals in games because of poor defending or whatever it might be, and tonight it was just a bit of a fluke and when it rains it pours."

Piatti made it 2-0 in the 84th when, at the top-left corner of the 6-yard box, he took a feed from Alejandro Silva and evaded sliding goalkeeper Joe Bendik before finishing into an empty net from point-blank range. Montreal was flagged offside on the field, but was awarded the goal after replay review.

Evan Bush had one save in his second consecutive shutout for the Impact.

Impact defender Chris Duvall said the team showed well against an Orlando City club that was aiming to turn its fortunes around.

"It feels great because this is a team that I think has been struggling and a team that we played so recently," he said.

"And I know that this game was little bit more chippy because they had something to prove to, not just us, but around the league, to their new coach, to their fans, to everyone. And I think to still manage to get a shutout against a very good attacking team is a huge win for us."

Kickoff was delay nearly 30 minutes due to inclement weather.

The Associated Press


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