Dominic Oduro’s Champions League dreams came to a bitter climax as Montreal Impact were outclassed by Club America in the CONCACAF final.
A brave performance by the Canadians in the first leg in Mexico last week had given Oduro and his teammates hope that they could achieve an unlikely success in front of their own fans.
However, while poor finishing by America and resolute play by Impact had resulted in a 1-1 draw between the two sides in the first leg, a chasm in class was exposed in the return fixture.
Again, for the first 45 minutes, there was little to separate the two sides, and Impact even headed in at the break with an aggregate lead following Andres Romero’s opener on eight minutes.
Indeed, they could have extended their lead midway through the second when a counter attack forced a smart save from Moises Munoz in the America goal.
As had been Impact’s approach in the first leg, the team sought to play conservatively before launching forward in the counter.
Oduro, on the right, was a key weapon for the home side, but was unable to help the Quebecois score a second.
It’s tantalising to imagine what might have been had the Canadian side held onto their lead for more than five minutes beyond half-time.
Dario Benedetto levelled the scores on 50 minutes before America bagged two in two minutes—from Benedetto and Oribe Peralta—to essentially kill the tie.
The Argentine completed his hat-trick on 81 minutes, before Jack McInerney pulled a late goal back for the home side in the dying stages.
While the Impact’s campaign in the continental competition has ultimately ended in disappointment, Oduro and his teammates should be commended for their magnificent run to the final and their fine first-leg performance at the Azteca Stadium.
