Columbus Crew SC 4, Montreal Impact 4 | 2016 MLS Match Recap

Franco Panizo

Columbus Crew SC were sitting pretty while holding a three-goal lead early in the second half at MAPFRE Stadium on Saturday, but the Montreal Impact mounted an impressive comeback to grab a share of the points in an improbable 4-4 draw.

Former Columbus forward Dominic Oduro scored three minutes into second-half stoppage time. Montreal were down 4-1 through 53 minutes thanks to braces from Kei Kamara and Federico Higuain, but the Canadian club responded quickly with two goals in as many minutes before the hour mark.

Ignacio Piatti scored twice – in spectacular fashion – and drew a penalty kick that Didier Drogba converted. The result leaves the Impact (4-3-3) in first place in the Eastern Conference with 15 points and Crew SC (2-4-3, 9 points) in ninth.

Box Score

16' – CLB – Kei Kamara (Justin Meram, Corey Ashe)
26' – MTL – Ignacio Piatti (Didier Drogba)
45+1' – CLB – Kei Kamara (Michael Parkhurst)
48' – CLB – Federico Higuain
53' – CLB – Federico Higuain (Penalty Kick)
57' – MTL – Didier Drogba (Penalty Kick)
58' – MTL – Ignacio Piatti (Dominic Oduro)
90'+3' – MTL – Dominic Oduro (Didier Drogba, Ambroise Oyongo)
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Three Things

Making a Difference Late: Oduro scored a 90th-minute equalizer a week-and-a-half ago against New York City FC, and he repeated that feat by burying the tying goal Saturday with a composed finish. Oduro now has three goals and three assists this season.
BACK AND FORTH: While the game had plenty of intriguing moments, one of the most noteworthy was the exchange Higuain and Kamara had before the 53rd-minute penalty kick. Kamara was on the verge of his first career hat-trick and wanted to take the shot from 12 yards out, but Higuain, Crew SC's designated penalty taker, refused to defer on the attempt. The two had a long discussion, and it was not until after Parkhurst stepped in that Higuain fired home from the spot.
DEFENSIVE STRUGGLES: Both teams had their issues on the defensive end, but Crew SC surrendered a total of 19 shots, 12 of which were on target, and saw goalkeeper Steve Clark make eight saves.