Over the past year, CF Montreal has had its share of disappointing draws. The one registered on Saturday afternoon in Chester does not fall into this category.
In what could be seen as a barometer duel, CF Montreal limited the Philadelphia Union to a tie of 1-1, in the stronghold of the best team in the Eastern Conference.
This score means that CF Montreal (3-3-2) has now played five consecutive games without suffering defeat, including four away from the comfort of their home.
Kei Kamara, with his second of the season, scored the only goal for Wilfried Nancy’s men in the 59th minute of play.
Julian Carranza, on a penalty in the 21st minute of play, was the only Union color bearer (5-1-2) to deceive the vigilance of Sebastian Breza.
“For me, it was not a good match. But the guys managed to get this point by still having a good away game. [L’Union] is a team that plays very direct, which puts a lot of physical density. We are happy, ”analyzed head coach Wilfred Nancy.
Of its 11 points accumulated in the standings so far in 2022, CF Montreal has totaled eight in six games on rival grounds.
This performance includes a victory at the home of the New York Red Bulls two weeks ago — a place where the Montreal team has never enjoyed much success — and Saturday’s draw, against a team that had a record 3-0-1 in front of his fans, with only one goal allowed, so far this season.
“You have to give yourself credit, sincerely. It’s not easy to go for points away, three points or one point,” remarked Kamara, who spoke of a positive result to take home.
“We had a not too good first half, but it wasn’t too bad because we were only down by one goal. It gave us the energy to go back on the field and tell ourselves that we were going to have our chances. We know that we have several players who can score goals. »
CF Montreal will be back in front of their fans for the first of two games in two weeks at Stade Saputo, against Atlanta United next Saturday.
another delay
In its first five away games in 2022, CF Montreal has allowed the first goal. The scenario repeated itself on its sixth outing.
After an early game without too many offensive actions worthy of the term, Union managed to infiltrate the penalty area when Carranza accepted a pass from Daniel Gazdag.
Wanting to control the ball, Carranza collided with Kamal Miller, a move that earned a foul on the Canadian defender in the 19th minute and a penalty for the Union.
Carranza did it himself and gave the hosts the lead with a shot to the left of Breza, who had dropped on the other side.
The task for CF Montreal therefore promised to be difficult against a team which had not conceded a goal at home in 337 minutes before Saturday’s match.
However, Wilfried Nancy’s men completed the first half with a slight advantage in possession and five shots attempted, including two on target, but none that really worried Andre Blake.
The Montreal team started the second half very well by controlling the ball even more. And by dint of passing the object, she ended up ending the unbeaten streak of the Union defense on her home ground, after 396 minutes.
Inserted into the game at the start of the half, Kamara skillfully deflected a pass from Romell Quioto into the opposing net after beating defender Jakob Glesnes into the penalty area.
Gradually, CF Montreal lost some of their control of the ball as the half progressed, but not to the point of allowing the Union to deprive them of a precious point on the road.
“The points that we take like that are important and do good. It proves that the team continues to be resilient, continues to not let go and tries to bring something from the outside, “said Nancy.