By Canadian Press

Star midfielder Piatti returns as Impact held to 0-0 draw against Revolution

May 18, 2019 | 12:41 PM

MONTREAL — Ignacio Piatti came off the bench to make his long-awaited return from injury as the Montreal Impact were held to a 0-0 draw against the New England Revolution on Saturday afternoon.

Evan Bush made four saves for his sixth clean sheet for the Impact (6-5-3), who have one win in their last four games.

Goalkeeper Matt Turner earned a one-save clean sheet for the Revolution (3-8-3) in new coach Bruce Arena’s first match in charge. It was New England’s second shutout of the year.

After a first half largely controlled by the Impact, the 15,559 in attendance at Saputo Stadium began chanting Piatti’s name as soon as he began warming up in the 55th minute. The Argentine came into the game 11 minutes later to a rousing ovation.

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The Impact’s star midfielder had not played since March 16, missing the last 10 games with knee and calf injuries. Montreal went 4-4-2 in Piatti’s absence.

But Piatti could not make the difference, and both teams squandered a handful of chances to settle for the draw.

Impact striker Maximiliano Urruti was the game’s most dangerous player in the first half.

He nearly scored in the 33rd minute when his chip shot beat Turner and trickled towards the net but New England defender Jalil Anibaba cleared the ball off the line. Montreal followed that chance with furious pressure but the Revolution held firm.

In the 16th minute, Urruti had time and space in the penalty box but his right-footed shot curled wide of the post to Turner’s right. The 28-year-old striker is still looking for his first goal from open play this season.

Saphir Taider also came close to scoring in the 29th minute when Orji Okwonkwo’s cross landed right at his feet in the box, but the designated player only managed a soft shot on target.

New England came out stronger after halftime and hemmed Montreal deep in its defensive third for the first 10 minutes of the second half. Bush denied Teal Bunbury twice.

The Impact left things late when these teams met three weeks ago in New England, scoring three times in the final 11 minutes for a 3-0 victory.

Notes: Impact defender Bacary Sagna (suspension) and midfielder Harry Novillo (injury) did not play. … Montreal was shown four yellow cards, all in a 10-minute span in the second half. … The Impact have not dropped two games in a row this season.

Kelsey Patterson, The Canadian Press