3415_mallacecalum_isi_mlsbb041914127 Bill Barrett/isiphotos.com
Holy S**t

Miracle in Montreal: It's the CCL Semis for the Impact

Calum Mallace's desperation pass finds rookie Cameron Porter in the dying seconds of a CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal game to send the Major League Soccer side through to the next round.
BY Brian Sciaretta Posted
March 04, 2015
8:50 AM
In one of the most dramatic wins for an MLS team in the CONCACAF Champions League, the Montreal Impact defeated Pachuca on a stunning stoppage time goal from rookie forward Cameron Porter.

In the first leg, Montreal opened up a 2-0 lead with both goals coming from New Jersey native Dilly Duka. Pachuca would rally in the second half to equalize the game 2-2 but it left Montreal with an edge heading into the second leg after scoring two valuable away goals.

Whatever momentum Montreal lost from Pachuca’s late rally in the first leg was alleviated by a raucous crowd of 38,104 at the Olympic Stadium that was energized from the get go.

In the first half, Montreal came out with some possession but it was Pachuca with the best of chances throughout most of the first half. Montreal was able to weather the storm and survive the half scoreless. While Montreal was able to muster some offense, it did not manage a shot on goal in the opening half.

In the second half, Pachuca began to press harder needing at least a goal to advance to the semifinals. For the first 25 minutes of the second half, Montreal limited Pachuca to only a few opportunities while starting to create a few of their own.

In the 71st minute, Impact goalkeeper Evan Bush made one of the saves for the ages when he positioned himself well to deny a shot from Pachuca’s German Cano from close range following a low cross. In the 79th minute, however, disaster struck for the Impact when Laurent Ciman, a newly acquired Belgian defender from Standard Liege, was called for a penalty after he blatantly took down Cano in the box. Cano stepped up to take the penalty which he easily converted with a powerful shot to the lower left side of the goal. Ten minutes later, the game looked lost for Montreal despite only needing a goal equalize the game and win the series on the away goals rule.

In the fourth minute, however, a near miracle occurred when Calum Mallace hit an amazing long ball that found 85th minute substitute Cameron Porter at the edge of the box. The rookie from Princeton, who was drafted with the 45th overall pick in the SuperDraft, controlled the ball with his chest to move past his defender. As Pachuca keeper Oscar Perez came out to get in position to make a save, Porter calmly sent the ball between his legs to equalize the game and win the series. The reaction in Montreal was bedlam and soon after the whistle sounded and the Impact became the third MLS team to defeat a Mexican team in the Champions League in a two leg series. Next up will be the winner of the DC United - L.D. Alajuelense series.

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