All eyes were always going to be on this second MLS game of the 2020 season, given that Thierry Henry was looking to guide his Montreal Impact side to his first league result. It wasn’t easy, but they got just that, with a late Maximiliano Urruti chip handing him a win on his league debut.
After playing out the second leg of a Concacaf Champions League against Saprissa just days ago, advancing on away goals, Montreal was tired and dealing with a number of injuries. The New England Revolution, with its very strong front line, likely felt confident stepping into the Olympic Stadium, where the home fans waved banners reading “Our maple syrup is better than yours.” That confidence was confirmed before 15 minutes were up, as Teal Bunbury, unmarked toward the far post, easily volleyed in the first goal.
It was a goal that called back to Montreal’s recent struggles on set pieces — yet it was New England that got caught out shortly before the halftime whistle blew. Maximiliano Urruti sent in the cross from the corner, Joel Waterman headed across, and Romell Quioto put it into the back of the net for an equalizer.
New England seemingly took the lead once more with another set piece, but the goal was waved off on Video Review due to an offside from scorer Wilfried Zahibo. Seemingly flustered by the decision, the Revs found themselves caught on the break, and Urruti — who had had a couple fairly significant misses earlier in the match — finally found the net, lobbing the ball over New England goalkeeper Matt Turner for the Impact winner.