Josef Martinez had a goal and an assist to guide CF Montreal to a 2-1 victory over FC Cincinnati on Saturday night in the team’s opening match at Saputo Stadium.
We do not know if Martinez was to play during this meeting, but he had no choice but to enter in the 26th.e minute, after Matias Coccaro was forced to leave the match.
Coccaro, who was visibly injured in his right leg, required help from trainers twice before being replaced. A few minutes before his exit, he was the victim of a violent tackle from Luca Orellano.
Regardless, Martinez fulfilled his mission as he often did during his MLS career. He scored his second goal of the campaign and set up Ariel Lassiter’s net.
CF Montreal (3-3-1) returned to winning ways after suffering three straight defeats to conclude its six-game road trip. It was the 150e team triumph in MLS (150-175-79).
Bryce Duke got his first start since March 16, in Chicago, and he was at the heart of several good offensive surges, showing what the organization saw in him when they acquired him last year.
Yuya Kubo responded for FC Cincinnati (3-2-3), which suffered its first setback abroad this season after two wins and a draw.
CF Montreal will return to action next Saturday, when they host Orlando City SC at Saputo Stadium.
A great return to school
Montrealers said they were ready to feed off the energy of the crowd and their first half was great proof of that.
The visitors managed a small breakthrough in attack in the sixth minute, but then had to hold on in the face of repeated attacks from the Bleu-blanc-noir.
Ruan and Mathieu Choinière initially combined their efforts well, but the Brazilian saw his shot stop against the crossbar. A few minutes later, Duke and Lassiter played a nice one-two, but the latter just missed the target.
CF Montreal once again knocked on the door, at the 20e minute. Following a free kick, the ball arrived at the feet of Joaquin Sosa at the edge of the area, but his left-footed shot was skillfully saved by goalkeeper Alec Kann.
FC Cincinnati showed signs of life before the end of the half, but Jonathan Sirois responded to his opponent by sticking out his arm to deprive Luciano Acosta of a goal from a free kick.
After waiting patiently in the rain for more than 45 minutes, Montreal fans were finally able to celebrate in stoppage time. On the left flank, Raheem Edwards brought the ball back into the penalty area and Martinez showed finishing to hit the target with a low shot.
CF Montreal had the opportunity to double its lead early in the second half, again through Martinez. The Venezuelan, however, was a little too patient and his shot was blocked by Matt Miazga a few meters from the net.
That’s all the Cincinnati squad needed to level the score. Acosta showed great lucidity with the ball and served a superb pass to Kubo, who easily beat Sirois in the 58the minute.
However, Montrealers were not shaken by this goal. Just four minutes later, Martinez set the table for Lassiter, who had come in quickly. The Costa Rican came in front of Kann and deceived his vigilance with a powerful strike.
Despite a few tense moments at the end of the match, the Bleu-blanc-noir defense held on to confirm the victory.