Ola Kamara sparks first half blitz as D.C. United downs Montreal Impact 3-0

D.C. United triumphed against the Montreal Impact, breaking a three-game losing streak with a 3-0 road win. Ola Kamara had a brace to lead United, sandwiching his goals around one for Paul Arriola. United’s goals all came in a span of 11 minutes during the middle of the first half, allowing them to ease their way to victory from there.

An energetic opening resulted in plenty of attacking moves, but few genuine early chances. Just as the Impact began to establish a slight dominance, however, a tackle by Rudy Camacho on Lucas Rodriguez altered the match’s trajectory. Camacho was booked, and the foul lead to a free kick by Junior Moreno, who hit the center of the wall. Fortunately though, the ball found its way to Ola Kamara, who took possession and lined up his shot perfectly to drive it into the net for a 1-0 lead in the 20th minute.

Three minutes later, United’s good fortunes continued. A miscalculated header by Samuel Piette on Bill Hamid’s goal kick sent the ball in behind the Impact defense, allowing Arriola outrun three defenders and double the lead, easily slipping his shot past Evan Bush.

Montreal were staggered by the quick goals, and United made sure to take advantage. In the 31st minute, Felipe’s corner to the back post found Frederic Brillant, who aimed a header right at Kamara. The Norwegian striker did the rest, guiding the ball past Bush with his head to make it 3-0.

After halftime, the game settled into a fairly continuous pattern, with the Impact getting plenty of possession on the flanks, but D.C.’s defense repeatedly won their battles, fending off cross after cross. In the end, Montreal attempted 44 crosses, but Hamid only had one complicated save to make, stopping Orji Okwonkwo’s blast in the 61st minute.

At the other end, United had numerous promising counters that just barely went awry, with Arriola nearly giving himself a second goal on one, and Kamara firing a bid for a hat trick right at Bush after Ulises Segura and Arriola combined.

In the end, United made their lead stand up comfortably, walking off with a desperately-needed three points. After a week off during the FIFA international window, they’ll face a tough challenge, as they go back on the road to face the Portland Timbers at Providence Park.

Box Score

MLS Regular Season (Game 30)
Montreal Impact 0
D.C. United 3 (Kamara 20, 31; Arriola 23)

Lineups:
Impact (4231): Evan Bush; Bacary Sagna, Rudy Camacho (Zachary Brault-Guillard 87), Jukka Raitala, Dan Lovitz; Samuel Piette (C), Saphir Taïder; Orji Okwonkwo (Ballou Tabla 71), Bojan Krkic, Lassi Lappalainen (Shamit Shome 78); Maximiliano Urruti

DCU (4231): Bill Hamid; Russell Canouse, Frederic Brillant, Steven Birnbaum (C), Joseph Mora; Felipe, Junior Moreno; Ulises Segura (Leonardo Jara 90), Paul Arriola (Luciano Acosta 87), Lucas Rodriguez; Ola Kamara (Quincy Amarikwa 87)

Bookings:
Impact - Camacho 18, Urruti 55
DCU - Mora 21