FC Cincinnati 2, Montreal Impact 1 | 2019 MLS Match Recap

Allan Cruz snapped FC Cincinnati's scoreless drought, substitute Fatai Alashe finished off a slick counterattack for a second, and 29-year-old interim boss Yoann Damet made more history by recording his first MLS coaching victory in Cincy's 2-1 triumph over the Montreal Impact on Saturday afternoon.

Spencer Richey snuffed out Anthony Jackon-Hamel's late breakaway to ensure FC Cincy wrapped up all three points at Nippert Stadium in their first match since the dismissal of coach Alan Koch, and snapped their winless stretch at seven matches.

Orji Okwonkwo pulled a goal back for the Impact 12 minutes after his entrance, and 15 minutes from full time. But Montreal fell to their fifth defeat of the season, four of which have come during an Eastern Conference-most 10 away matches.

Goals

7' - CIN - Allan Cruz | WATCH
62' - CIN - Fatai Alashe | WATCH
75' - MTL - Orji Okwonkwo | WATCH

Three Things

THE BIG PICTURE:
While the result was important, the aesthetics under Damet may be even more promising for Cincinnati fans wanting to see signs of life. The hosts completed 571 passes, more than 100 more than their opponents, with an 83-percent completion rate. For Montreal, it's an opportunity lost to move atop the Eastern Conference standings, but with so many home matches to come, not a particularly damaging one.

So, FC Cincinnati averages 400.5 passes per game through the first 11 matches. They had 401 passes this first half. #FCCincy #CINvMTL
— Laurel Pfahler (@LaurelPfahler) May 11, 2019

MOMENT OF THE MATCH: Alashe's came from some of the most incisive play we've seen from Cincinnati this year down the right flank. Leonardo Bertone sprung Roland Lamah down the right flank with his exceptional first-touch pass, and Lamah made the right decision by dragging his cross back toward the penalty arc where Alashe came through with a classy one-time finish.

MAN OF THE MATCH:Victor Ulloa. The FC Dallas academy product and holding midfielder kept the Orange and Blue tight and connected through most of the afternoon, a cohesion that showed up in the team passing stats and in both goals.

Up Next

CIN: Sunday, May 19 at Orlando City SC (3 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in the US, MLS LIVE on DAZN in Canada)
MTL: Saturday, May 18 vs. New England Revolution (1 pm ET | TVAS, MLS LIVE on ESPN+ in the US)

Ian Nicholas Quillen -

@IaqDiesel