For the first time this season, CF Montréal have a winning streak. Wilfried Nancy's squad came back from a 1-0 deficit to grab a 2-1 win over New York City FC at Exploria Stadium Wednesday.
Knowing that NYCFC had a young goalkeeper in Luis Barraza starting in place of Sean Johnson who was on Gold Cup duty, Montréal tried to pounce on their opposition early. Only two minutes from the opening kickoff, Emanuel Maciel launched an overhead through pass for Romell Quioto who beat Barraza with a shot towards the far post but the play was ruled offside.
NYCFC withstood Montréal's pressure early and then started applying their own. Ismael Tajouri-Shradi outmanned Zorhan Bassong along the right side of the box and sent a cutback pass towards the penalty spot. The ball rolled all the way to the edge of the box where Keaton Parks tried his luck and beat James Pantemis with a low shot toward the far post.
Montréal got a chance to bring the score back level when Sebastien Ibeagha took down Djordje Mihailovic inside the box and referee Marcos DeOliveira pointed to the spot for a penalty. Quioto was still fuming from missed opportunities but left the penalty for his teammate Mason Toye. The New Jersey native stepped up and did not miss his chance to equalize minutes before the end of the first half.
Quioto finally got his goal as Montréal confirmed the comeback at the 73rd minute. In a counter-attacking opportunity, Mihailovic worked his way past the halfway line and sent a through ball past NYCFC's defensive and into Quioto's path. The Honduran beat Barraza to the ball and made his way around a scrambling defender to tap in his second goal of the season.
As the rain started to pour, NYCFC began inching back into game they had once led. Freshly off subbing in, Gudmundur Thorarinsson had just enough space to send a cross into the box from his left flank for Valentin Castellanos who headed the ball just over the bar.
Another substitute wanted to make his mark late in the game but his effort was found offside. Bjørn Johnsen found the end of the through ball and recovered the rebound from his own shot to find what he thought was his third goal of the season. Seconds later, the play was called offside.
In the dying embers of the match, Thiago Andrade zoomed through the space toward goal and Pantemis rushed to grab the ball from his feet. The Brazilian fell to the ground leaving everyone waiting for a call from the referee. After a halt in play, Marco DeOliveira went to VAR but rather to call the play offside confirming Montréal's victory.
Goals
Three things
- THE BIG PICTURE: CF Montréal have won two straight games for the first time of the season. Not only that but Wilfried Nancy’s squad now stands on a five-game unbeaten run. NYCFC will kick themselves on the way back to the Empire State for having let a 1-0 slip through their fingers. The loss snaps the club’s two-game winning streak.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: After having his goal called offside early in the game, Romell Quioto finally got one back. Even better, his second goal of the season was the game-winner.
- MAN OF THE MATCH: CF Montréal paid the big bucks to get him from Chicago Fire FC and he proved his worth Wednesday night. Djordje Mihailovic was at the center of every Montréal play and recorded a third straight game with an assist.
Next up
- MTL: Saturday, July 17 vs FC Cincinnati | 7:30pm ET | TVA Sports, MLS Live on ESPN+
- NYC: Saturday, July 17 at Columbus Crew | 7:30pm ET | MLS Live on ESPN+
