Di Vaio scores twice, Impact end two game losing streak with 2-1 win over United

MONTREAL – Marco Di Vaio scored twice to lead the Montreal Impact to a 2-1 win over D.C. United on Saturday.

The victory snapped a two-game losing streak for Montreal (11-7-5) as the Impact picked up a crucial three points for just the second time in its last nine matches.

Already mired in the Eastern Conference and MLS basement, the defeat left D.C. (3-17-4) without a road win in 11 games. The club has also scored just three goals on opposing pitches.

The Impact came out ready to play and score, with several opportunities early on. United withstood Montreal’s early possession before creating a few chances of its own.

Montreal was finally able to capitalize on an opportunity in the 43rd minute. After a strong effort on the right wing, midfielder Justin Mapp crossed the ball in for Di Vaio and the striker scored his 12th goal of the season, and his first since July 3.

D.C. forwards Dwayne De Rosario and Luis Silva came close to netting the equalizer on a pair of opportunities early in the second half but both were denied by Impact keeper Troy Perkins.

Di Vaio came within inches of his second tally of the night in the 61st minute, but his shot from the top of the box trickled wide left of the net.

United forward substitute Conor Doyle evened things up in the 81st minute with his second of the season.

Di Vaio added his second of the match two minutes later when Patrice Bernier’s header found the striker on the left wing.

D.C. midfielder Nick DeLeon nearly scored the equalizer in the 89th minute but was held off by Perkins.

Impact head coach Marco Schallibaum and United head coach Ben Olsen were ejected in the 75th minute after Mapp and United’s James Riley both went for a ball along the sidelines. Riley was given a yellow card and plenty of arguments and shouting ensued.

The match marked the return of Swiss defender Dennis Iapichino to Montreal. United signed Iapichino on Thursday after he was waived by the Impact earlier in the week. The 23-year-old wasn’t in D.C.’s starting lineup but was sent in as a substitute late in the game.