Orlando City loses to Montreal Impact 3-1

The Montreal Impact rode a first-half flurry and late insurance goal to emerge with a 3-1 win at Orlando City SC on Saturday evening. Ignacio Piatti scored a brace and turnovers by Orlando took their toll, as the Lions remain winless early into James O’Connor’s first full season in charge.

The ball got rolling in the 14th minute, when Samuel Piette sprung a through ball for Saphir Taider. The Algerian midfielder cut a cross back for winger Orji Okwonkwo, who finished to the far post for his first goal in MLS.

The 1-0 lead doubled immediately after the ensuing kick off, as Orlando center back Shane O’Neill mis-hit a back pass into the path of Maximiliano Urruti. He was fouled as he rounded Lions’ goalkeeper Brian Rowe, only for Piatti to smash into the open net. 

Piatti then made it 3-0 in the 80th minute, as Harry Novillo played Piatti in another Orlando turnover. The Argentine made no mistake after some patience in the 18-yard box.

Despite the first-half sucker punch, Orlando had its chances and could have found a result if not for some wayward finishing from Dom Dwyer. The veteran striker hit over in the 7th minute after some creativity from Nani; he headed right into Evan Bush’s hands in the 35th minute; and blasted a breakaway over the net in the 58th minute. 

Dwyer finally found his breakthrough in the 91st minute, as he tapped into an open net after some inventive play from rookie for Santiago Patino. It was too little too late, though.

Montreal center back Zakaria Diallo was shown a straight red card in the 95th minute. The French center back put his hands to the face of Dwyer, and head referee Timothy Ford wasted no time in making his decision.

See more at OrlandoCitySC.com.