CF Montreal 1 – Revolution 4 | « They were surgical »

CF Montreal lose 4-1 to New England Revolution

The CF Montreal received the best formation of the Garber circuit, Wednesday evening, at the Saputo stadium. And, in the first half, the visitors demonstrated their ability to take advantage of opportunities.

Apart from a corner kick granted from the start, CF Montreal had an excellent first ten minutes.

At the 7^e minute, a cross from Mathieu Choinière from the right flank even almost gave the locals the lead. The ball landed in the feet of Romell Quioto, who narrowly missed Matt Turner’s cage.

“The first half is a bit difficult to digest because we have this opportunity from Romell, and after that they were surgical,” commented head coach Wilfried Nancy.

Indeed, the mighty Revolution, led by the renowned Bruce Arena, opened the machine and took advantage of what was offered to it. First, DeJuan Jones took advantage of a blocked return shot to beat a deported James Pantemis who couldn’t help it.

And, at the 17^e, Gustavo Bou admirably served the Polish Adam Buksa who, with a header, scored his 13^e of the season. After barely a quarter of an hour, it was already 2-0 for the visitors.

It must be said that the New England club is not uncomfortable on opposing grounds, the only team in the East with a positive record on the road, and not just a little: 9-3- 3. Overall, the Revolution are now at 20-4-5, at the top of MLS, and have a remarkable 13-1-2 record in their last 16 games.

At the 30^e minute, central defender Rudy Camacho accidentally struck his own, deflecting a shot behind the Montreal goalkeeper. The first goal against his camp at CF Montreal at his 27^e match.

“Three quick goals on three occasions, it hurts,” admitted Samuel Piette after the match.

But two minutes later, Nancy’s troop responded. A magnificent solo maneuver from Joaquín Torres in the penalty area, who then beat the New England goalie to his left. A fourth goal for the little Argentinian.

The first half ended 3-1, but it could have been worse. Pantemis has stood out twice, with a good outing against Buksa, in particular.

Not to mention a post followed by a rescue on the Zorhan Bassong line.

In return, Quioto also benefited from another great opportunity that he was unable to realize.

The Revolution were 15-0-2 when they scored first, and 11-0-1 when they led at halftime …

The nail in the coffin

The start of the second half was less lively than the very offensive first half of the match.

That said, CF Montreal quickly took control, with much of the action taking place in the New England third.

With a two-goal deficit, however, more was needed than a few threats. At the 68^e minute, Piette gave way to Bjørn Johnsen.

A substitution which would, however, have become in vain, from the following moments, had it not been for a stop with the fingertips of Pantemis on a redirected free kick from the head.

Then, at the 75^eBallou Tabla, back in uniform since his double in Halifax in the Canadian championship last week, has been called upon to replace Choinière.

And the opportunities were there. « But the Revolution did not panic, » analyzed the head coach of the CFM.

Quioto and Torres – the best of his own – will have had some interesting chances, but the next goal finally came from the foot of the Argentine Gustavo Bou, in the 86^e minute. Sound 13^e of the season, including three against CFM.

Already leading MLS in pre-game goals with 53, the Revolution added four in Montreal.

« Without saying that we deserved the three points, we deserved a better fate, » said Piette.

CF Montreal (10-10-7) is currently eighth in the Eastern Conference, just excluded from a playoff spot.

Head coach Wilfried Nancy’s men were playing the sixth of seven games in 22 days. The streak will end on Saturday, starting at 7 p.m., when they host Atlanta United FC (10-8-9), sixth in the East.