Impact get first win, Whitecaps grab injury time draw: Canadian MLS recap

MONTREAL IMPACT 1 – PHILADELPHIA UNION 0

It wasn’t pretty but the Impact will absolutely take it. Felipe Martins’ 14th minute goal was all Montreal needed to earn their first win of the season.

Back at Saputo Stadium after playing their first three home games at Olympic Stadium, Montreal midfielder Patrice Bernier intercepted a pass in midfield and hammered a shot towards goal. Bernier’s attempt was stopped by Philadelphia goalkeeper Zac MacMath but Martins pounced on the rebound to score the game’s only goal.

With the lead, Montreal held off Philadelphia’s attack. Their play at the back was organized, something that hasn’t been the case often this year, and even though they were outpossesed and outchanced they were able to keep the struggling Union from scoring.

It was the first time Impact striker Jack McInerney faced his former team, less than a month after being acquired from Philadelphia for Andrew Wenger, who was lively up front for the Union but didn’t capitalize on his opportunies.

It was also the first win for manager Frank Klopas, who has already heard calls for his firing because of the team’s because of the team’s slow start.

THE QUOTE: "It felt really good. Some games are not going to be pretty soccer and you have to find ways to compete. It gives us confidence. You can do things in training, but it's important to get results. You have more enthusiasm." – Impact manager Frank Klopas

NEXT GAME: Wednesday, May 7 – at Ottawa Fury or Edmonton FC (Canadian Championship)

VANCOUVER WHITECAPS 2 – REAL SALT LAKE 2

The Whitecaps’ performance against Real Salt Lake showed just how much the game can change over the course of 90-plus minutes.

It was a disastrous start for Vancouver, with Salt Lake scoring twice inside 10 minutes to take a 2-0 lead. The reigning Western Conference champions continued to carry the play throughout the first 45 minutes as the Whitecaps were forced into mistakes and were timid in possession.

Vancouver came out in the second half looking like a different team. They attacked from the wings and Nicolas Mezquida finally put the ‘Caps on the board in the 86th minute when he tapped in a goal from inside the six yard box after RSL goalkeeper Nick Rimando allowed Darren Mattocks’ initial shot to spill out to Mezquida.

It looked like the Whitecaps’ comeback attempt was going to fall short, until Sebastian Fernandez struck from 35 yards out in the 94th minute to equalize seconds before the final whistle.

After 10 minutes it looked like Salt Lake were primed to cruise to an easy win but the Whitecaps showed strong spirit in the second half, which should serve as a good learning experience for a young team.

THE QUOTE: "It's a challenge when you've got a group of young players, which is what I have. They played with fear in the first half. I don't want them to play with fear. I put demands on players because I know how good they can be, but they've got to start believing. We're touching the surface at the moment." – Whitecaps manager Carl Robinson

NEXT GAME: Saturday, May 3 – vs. San Jose Earthquakes, 7 ET

PLAY OF THE DAY: Sebastian Fernandez scores equalizer from distance

Israel Fehr is a writer for Yahoo Canada Sports. Follow him on Twitter @israelfehr.