New England Revolution 3, Montreal Impact 0 | 2016 MLS Match Recap

Peter Brownell

The New England Revolution needed an epic performance against the Montreal Impact on Decision Day and help in order to qualify for the Audi 2016 MLS Cup Playoffs.

While they were unable to maneuver their way above the red line in the Eastern Conference, they did end 2016 on a positive note, putting in an entertaining, quality performance to best the Montreal Impact 3-0 at a windy Gillette Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Diego Fagundez gave the home side the lead when his 13th-minute free kick left Montreal Impact goalkeeper Evan Bush frozen on his line. Juan Agudelo added his seventh goal of 2016 to double the Revolution's lead in the 60th minute. Kei Kamara would put the cherry on the cake for New England in the 71st minute, burying a big chance created following a slick passing sequence by the Revs.

The loss is one that Montreal will need to shake off quickly, as their task now becomes a Knockout Round match at D.C. United on either Wednesday Oct. 26 or Thursday Oct. 27.

Box Score

13' — NE — Diego Fagundez
60' — NE — Juan Agudelo (Scott Caldwell)
71' — NE — Kei Kamara (Diego Fagundez, Lee Nguyen)
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Three Things

GOLDEN 2016: Heading into Sunday’s Decision Day game it was unclear who would grab the 2016 Golden Boot for the New England Revolution. Lee Nguyen, Kei Kamara and Juan Agudelo were all tied with six goals and Kelyn Rowe and Diego Fagundez each had five. Fagundez’s delightful free kick in the 13th minute made the race a four way tie until Juan Agudelo pulled ahead but was then tied by Kamara, who bagged his seventh goal for the New England and 12th overall in 2016 regular season play (5 goals for Columbus). Agudelo nearly got to eight just minutes later, clattering a left-footed effort off the far post.
AGUDELO’S FORM: Speaking of Agudelo, there are few strikers who have been playing as well as the American international of late. The talented attacker has scored four goals in his last seven games and has notched three assists as well. His labor is bearing fruit, too, in the form of a call into the US men’s national team camp earlier this month.
QUICK RECOVERY: Montreal will certainly be disappointed with their performance on Sunday, after being thoroughly outclassed by the Revolution, all game long.
D.C. and Montreal have met twice so far in the 2016 MLS regular Ssason with both matches ending in a 1-1 draw.
Success against D.C. United for the Montreal Impact could very well hinge on whether mercurial striker Didier Drogba – who was once again not in the 18 for Montreal on Sunday – will be included in the team’s roster or not.