Hernan Bernardello made his Montreal return in some serious style on Sunday night, smashing home a late goal to give the 10-men Impact a 1-1 draw at D.C. United.
Trailing for over an hour, following Patrick Mullins heading home a Taylor Kemp cross in the 20th minute, and playing down a man after star forward Didier Drogba’s ejection in the 81st, Montreal looked all but done late in Sunday’s match. Bernardello had other ideas, however, picking up a loose ball just outside the box and ripping a half-volley to tie the game at 1-1 in the 86th.
United had several good opportunities to extend their advantage, particularly in the second half. Substitute Alvaro Saborio had the best look, smashing a bouncing ball off the crossbar in the 85th minute after a Luciano Acosta scoop pass.
Bernardello made D.C. pay for their wastefulness one minute later, with his late equalizer pushing Montreal to 7-5-9 on the season. D.C. moved to 5-8-8 with the result, keeping them in eighth-place in the East.
Box Score
- 20' – DC – Patrick Mullins (Taylor Kemp)
- 86' – MTL – Hernan Bernardello
- Full boxscore
- Stats
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Three Things
- HAPPY RETURNS: Bernardello couldn’t have asked for a much better return to the Impact, with his 86th-minute goal salvaging what was turning into a sour night for Montreal. The Argentine holding midfielder joined the Impact in July 2013 – signing as the club’s second-ever Designated Player, then left the team the following summer. Montreal welcomed him back last week, with Mauro Biello officially re-introducing him to the club by putting him on in the 71st minute on Sunday. The decision paid off, and Montreal are no doubt happy to have the talented 29-year-old back in the Bleu-Blanc-Noir after his rocket at RFK.
- FAILURE TO FINISH: United outplayed Montreal by a pretty wide margin on Sunday, but they were undone by their inability to finish any of their numerous chances that would’ve put the Impact away. Saborio came closest to scoring, while Acosta, Nick DeLeon and Patrick Nyarko also had opportunities that, if finished, would’ve secured all three points for D.C. After the match, head coach Ben Olsen put their wastefulness in typically stark terms.
- DROGBA SEES RED: Montreal will be happy with stealing the point, but they won’t be pleased about Drogba’s late red card. The Impact star was shown a straight red after he put his knee (gently, but still …) into Sarvas following a challenge between the two players. It was a rash moment for Drogba, who will be suspended for the Impact’s match against Houston next week.
Next Up
D.C.: Saturday, August 6 vs. Philadelphia Union (7pm ET; MLS LIVE)
MTL: Saturday, August 6 vs. Houston Dynamo (7:30 pm ET; MLS LIVE)
