Music: {allcanada} IMPACT BEAT UNDERMANNED RED BULLS IN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Wednesday, September 17, 2014

{allcanada} IMPACT BEAT UNDERMANNED RED BULLS IN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Casablanca / The Godfather: The Coppola Restoration

MONTREAL - Marco Di Vaio's first-half strike gave the Montreal Impact a 1-0 victory over the New York Red Bulls in CONCACAF Champions League action at Saputo Stadium on Wednesday night.

The Red Bulls (1-1-0), who fielded a largely inexperienced side, finished the match with 10 men after defender Connor Lade was sent off with 14 minutes remaining in the game.

With the win, the Impact (3-0-0) are perfect after three tournament matches. Frank Klopas' men now have a six-point lead in their group and are on the verge of clinching a spot in the knockout stage of the CCL. Montreal completes the group stage versus New York at Red Bull Arena on Oct. 22.

Montreal is now 7-0-2 at home in its third Champions League appearance.

Because the Red Bulls are in a tight playoff race in Major League Soccer -- New York is in fourth place with 38 points, one more than sixth-place Philadelphia -- manager Mike Petke fielded a substantially weaker side on Wednesday composed chiefly of New York's reserve team.

Notable absentees were forwards Thierry Henry and Bradley Wright-Phillips, and attacking midfielder Tim Cahill -- New York's star players didn't even make the trip to Montreal.

The Wizard of Oz / The Muppets' Wizard of Oz / Work From Home