Victor Wanyama survived a nasty challenge to help Montreal Impact to a 1-0 win over DC United in the MLS Is Back Tournament at ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in Florida on Wednesday.
Brazilian stamped on the Harambee Stars’ skipper’s thigh in the 34th minute with play being temporarily stopped, but the Kenyan international managed to continue with the game with Felipe escaping with a yellow card.
“His tackle was nowhere near the ball, he is lucky to have stayed in the game and I am lucky to be feeling okay,” Wanyama, who was named man of the match, said after the match.
DC United defender Frederic Brillant deflected Saphir Taider shot into his own goal in the 31st minute for the game’s only goal that gave Montreal Impact the much-needed victory.
The victory pushes Montreal to third in Group C with three points and they could qualify for the next round of the tournament as one of the four best third-place finishers.
They have a better record than New York City FC, who have the same number of points, but a worse goal difference.
In what was a game of two halves, Montreal dominated the first half but DC United were the better side after the break but pushed for an equaliser in vain.
Montreal coach Thierry Henry praised his team for fighting hard to get the three points.
“It feels good to be back with a win after a bad start. This is important for us as I know it will motivate the team to work better in training and do better in upcoming matches,” the former Arsenal striker said in the post-match conference.
“The lads responded better to the pressure from DC United especially in the second half, hang in there, kept it tight, and got the three points we desperately needed,” he added.
Wanyama joined the team in March from English Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur.
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