Montreal Impact 2, Chicago Fire 1 | 2018 MLS Match Recap

The Montreal Impact gave themselves a major boost in the Eastern Conference playoff race and consigned the Chicago Fire to more misery, defeating them 2-1 on Saturday at Stade Saputo with a stoppage-time winner from Daniel Lovitz.

The Impact were on the front foot right away, as Saphir Taider drew a penalty from Bastian Schweinsteiger in the opening minutes, and Ignacio Piatti opened the scoring for the home team six minutes in.

While Montreal controlled the run of play in the first half, Chicago played their way into the match after the restart. They found their reward with the equalizer in the 70th minute, as Nemanja Nikolic stroked in a shot off a rebound to keep hope alive for the Fire.

It looked like the game would finish as a draw, but Lovitz — in his fifth season in MLS — scored his first career goal in impressive fashion with a volley from the edge of the box in the 91st minute to grab all three points for Montreal.

Goals

• 6' – MTL – Ignacio Piatti (PK) | WATCH
• 70' – CHI – Nemanja Nikolic | WATCH
• 91' – MTL – Daniel Lovitz | WATCH

Three Things 

THE BIG PICTURE: The Impact move back above the playoff line with the win, and while it wasn't the prettiest win throughout they got the job done. The Fire seem to have hit the end of their rope as far as their playoff prospects. Sitting in last place in the Eastern Conference, they're on an eight-game losing streak, worst in MLS, and this result will certainly compound the misery.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH
: It has to be the game-winner, which was impressive indeed.

MAN OF THE MATCH: First career goal, a volleyed winner to boot, and solid play in defense all night...seems like Lovitz is the right call on this one.

Next Up

• MTL: Sunday, August 25 at Toronto FC (8 pm ET | TVAS, TSN4/5 — Full TV & streaming Info)
• CHI: Thursday, August 23 vs Columbus Crew SC (7 pm ET | TV & streaming Info)