MLS: CF Montreal wins an offensive festival at Stade Saputo
SUMMARY
MONTREAL – You always have to be prepared to be surprised when CF Montreal takes on FC Cincinnati.
For the third time in less than a year, the residents of the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve district emerged victorious in a spectacular backfire against their rivals from Ohio, who they defeated by a score of 4-3 on the lawn. Saputo Stadium on Saturday.
Twenty-three goals have been scored in the last four games between the two teams. That’s a lot, even more when you consider that this sample includes a 0-0 draw.
“It’s always weird against this team, it always ends with astronomical scores, tried to explain Joel Waterman after the match. I do not know why! As a defender, I like when you defend much, much better than that. But at least we managed to score more often than them and in the end, that’s what matters. »
Against a team that had won its last four games on the road, CF Montreal bounced back after conceding the first goal in the first half, then struggled in the second half of the game even though they twice have a two-goal lead.
Romell Quioto, who hadn’t found the back of the net in six games, was the offensive star of the game with a brace. His second of the evening, scored from a penalty in the 59the minute, turned out to be the one that made the difference.
The other winners’ goals came from Waterman and Mathieu Choinière.
“I’m glad the guys found the resources to win that match, commented coach Wilfried Nancy after calling the proposal of the day ‘not great’ For once, given that we are now going on vacation , I will say that I will forget it. »
By ending a brief two-game losing streak, CF Montreal (7-5-2) cemented their place in the top portion of the Eastern Conference standings coming into a two-week international break in their calendar. His next game is scheduled for June 18 against Austin FC.
« It’s huge, » said Waterman and looking back. After this unbeaten streak that we went through, we didn’t want to start sliding in the other direction. Those two losses hurt us, but we wanted to make sure we got those three points before the break. We insisted on that and it’s good to be able to say mission accomplished. »
“It was very important to reach this stoppage time on a positive note, added Victor Wanyama. We need this energy. When we come back, I know that we will resume work with enthusiasm because we will have left behind a good result. The motivation will be very high on the return. »
Mihailović injured
The team, however, suffered a severe blow early in the game as the cornerstone of their attack, midfielder Djordje Mihailovic, was forced off after sustaining what appeared to be a left ankle injury. Falling in combat on a banal defensive withdrawal in the third minute, Mihailovic tried to play despite the pain but had to resign himself to asking for a replacement quarter of an hour into the game.
There’s no such thing as a good time to get injured, but the number 8 didn’t wipe his tears for nothing when leaving the field. After the encounter, the young American was due to join his country’s squad for a four-game series that will help coach Gregg Berhalter shape the roster that will represent the United States at the World Cup in November. We will have to see in the coming days if the news will be more encouraging than appearances for the Chicago native.
The opponent was leading 1-0 when the Montreal virtuoso retired to the locker room. His teammates could have deflated at this sad sight, but his departure had the opposite effect.
At the 22e minute, the Montrealers tied the game on an exact replica of the goal they had conceded ten minutes earlier. On a corner taken by Joaquin Torres, Kamal Miller extended at the far post towards Waterman. The redhead kicked into the top corner to equal a team mark set in 2013 and 2021: it was the seventh goal scored by a team defender since the start of the season.
The CFM doubled the lead before the end of the period. Leggy from the start of the match, Quioto spun after receiving a pass from Torres and, without any lace, found a way to thwart three rivals to place the ball behind goalkeeper Roman Celentano.
Torres was substituted for Kei Kamara after the break. The latter made his coach look like a genius by preparing Choinière’s goal a few seconds after the game resumed. Placed at the entrance of the small rectangle, Kamara set foot on a cross from Lassi Lappalainen in a perfect angle to make shine its Quebec partner.
But a two-goal lead in a game against Cincinnati is like a couple coming out of Occupation Double: it’s not meant to last. Six minutes into the celebrations, Alvaro Barreal was given inadequate cover in the box and made it 3-2 for the hosts to pay cash.
Quioto wasted no time in restoring the lead, but Junior Moreno also responded with his second of the game soon after.
Sebastian Breza, who has already been more convincing in front of his net, at least found a way to protect his line until the end, in particular by having the upper hand over the dangerous Brandon Vazquez in the 66e minute. The Cerberus finished his term with three saves.
