This CF Montreal has not finished surprising us. He went to win in Texas on Saturday night. A 3-2 win over Dynamo. A seventh on the road this season. A very first in Houston in its history.
Posted at 11:18 p.m.
Wilfried Nancy has spoken several times this season of “writing the history” of the club. His men answer the call so far. So much so that they just ended second place in the Eastern standings alone. Ahead of defending champions New York City FC.
Romell Quioto and Alistair Johnston were the Montreal scorers, before Lassi Lappalainen played his magic card to give Montreal the lead in the second half.
And this goal at the 69e, the Finn deserved it. It had been several games that he made the difference in the Montreal left lane. Saturday, he was rewarded with only his second net of the campaign. And what a success it was. Carrying the ball on the left, he took out his finest Scandinavian tango steps – yes, yes – to thwart three Texan defenders by putting on a superb curling strike with the right foot.
The problem is that this match could be expensive on the state of health of certain pillars of the team. Like Romell Quioto, who came out in the 77e after what seemed like cramps. Like Rudy Camacho, who more clearly injured his shoulder in the 59e.
A scenario rich in adventures
Moreover, the second half was better controlled by CF Montreal. Because the first half was particularly eventful.
The Bleu-et-noir started their match with good attacking confidence. At the expense of sealing at the rear. Which allowed Houston to come on several times with speed.
And to finally register with the mark in a beautiful way, at the 12e minute. Mexican superstar Hector Herrera sent a prodigious lobbed pass deep to Sebastián Ferreira. The Paraguayan deftly controlled, then thwarted Rudy Camacho with a small bridge, before taking a left-footed shot that beat James Pantemis.
This goal triggered a series of events. Moments later, Texan goalkeeper Steve Clark made a real blunder by mowing down a Djordje Mihailovic who was heading straight for the baseline. penalty. At the 15eRomell Quioto would thus mark his 12e of the season in front of his former supporters.
The game, open to the possible, passed from right to left. Until a game of billiards in the box resulted in a solid pass from Samuel Piette to Alistair Johnston on the right, on the 28th.e. The Canadian defender, who may be playing the best soccer of his career right now, would score his second of the season with a nice left-footed shot. Montreal took a 2-1 lead.
But Houston continued to take advantage of flaws in the Montreal defense. Pantemis followed up with a nice outing, then a nice save with the tip of his hand to push the ball up the net. Before making his best save, with the tip of his foot, on a deflected shot at close range.
In volume, it ended up breaking. At the 36eDaniel Steres took advantage of a good cross from Memo Rodríguez and brought everyone level.
And no, the scenario for this half was not yet completed. At the 43e, another penalty is awarded to Montreal. After long minutes of uncertainty, the VAR confirms the decision. Quioto comes in front of the ball… and completely misses his shot.
Also note the good performance of Djordje Mihailovic, who finally seems to be finding his bearings in a good way since his return from injury. He stood out a few times on Saturday, including a good dry shot that followed a nice gesture to carry the ball on his right foot in the 42nd.e.