Wenger impresses for Impact in draw with SKC

Andrew Wenger, the top pick of the MLS SuperDraft, had some bright moments as the Montreal Impact hung on for a 1-1 draw with Sporting Kansas City in each team’s second match of the preseason Walt Disney World Classic in Orlando, Fla.

With the Impact playing less than 48 hours after it was drubbed 3-0 by the Vancouver Whitecaps in the tournament opener, coach Jesse Marsch made wholesale changes to his starting lineup, as a mix of NASL alumni and young players got the starts today.

Wenger, who played both up front and in the back during his days at Duke University, continued as a forward for the Impact. He’s been used on the front line since he arrived in the Impact fold, and it’s clear that — with the Impact looking to have more depth on the defensive side but looking to be challenged in the goal-scoring department — Marsch would rather see Wenger on offense.

Wenger was effective throughout the first half, and was the conjurer of the Impact’s goal. He did well to control a long, probing ball down the left side of the SKC defence, kept his composure under pressure and laid a perfect low cross for Mike Fucito to tap home.

But, while Wenger had a good day, an Impact holdover from last season had an afternoon to forget.

Hassoun Camara, who was a regular for the Impact in its final NASL season, committed a foul in the box in the first half before the Fucito goal. But SKC’s Soony Saad missed the target with a poor penalty attempt.

And Camara was the culprit on Saad’s second-half equalizer. Saad was able to control in the box and spin past Camara, before sliding a shot through the legs of keeper Evan Bush, who played the second half after Canadian Greg Sutton got the call for the first 45.

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