The Montreal Impact came into Sunday’s Decision Day presented by AT&T match against the New England Revolution knowing they needed to win to advance to the Audi 2018 MLS Cup Playoffs. Thanks to Diego Fagundez and their inability to score, Remi Garde’s side fell short.
Fagundez broke the stalemate in the 74th minute, slotting his ninth goal of the season to put the Revs into the lead. The goal, the 50th of his MLS career, makes him the youngest player to reach that milestone in MLS history.
After a first half devoid of chances, Montreal was able to put pressure on the Revs backline in the second half. Fortunately for Brad Friedel’s team, Matt Turner was back between the posts for the first time since Sept. 1. The 24-year-old made clutch saves on Alejandro Silva and Ignacio Piatti to keep his clean sheet before Fagundez was able to find his opener.
The loss means the Impact miss the playoffs for the second straight year while the Revs finish on a high note after a disappointing second half.
Goals
- 74' — NE — Diego Fagundez | WATCH
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: The loss has to be a disappointment for the Impact, but considering the expectations coming into the year, a seventh-place finish isn't the worst outcome for the 2018 season. The Revs enter the offseason with a lot of questions, including the status of Fagundez.
</li><li><strong>MOMENT OF THE MATCH: </strong>Fagundez's goal decided the match, but Turner's save in the 54th minute kept the Impact from putting pressure on Columbus Crew SC.
</li><li><strong>MAN OF THE MATCH: </strong>Turner came up big multiple times for the Revs after a long layoff.</li></ul>
Next Up
- NE: End of season
- MTL: End of season
