Missing out on his opportunity, it looks like that. New York City FC eliminated CF Montreal by a score of 3-1, Sunday afternoon at Stade Saputo, in the Eastern semi-finals. A result as cruel as it is legitimate.
Posted at 3:15 p.m.
Updated at 4:08 p.m.
The historic season of the Montreal eleven thus ended in front of a conquered crowd and one of the beautiful atmospheres in the history of the Montreal enclosure. The home side’s only goal came from Djordje Mihailovic’s header in the 85e. Like a last goodbye from the American.
Costly Mistakes
But under this Indian summer, the sky of Bleu-et-noir was very quickly covered with greyness.
New York took the lead after six minutes of tense and nervous play from the hosts. Maxi Moralez took advantage of a defensive scramble in the Montreal area to go for the 1-0.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Maxi Moralez opened the scoring for NYCFC.
Montreal then calmed down and put its game down. 40 minutes of domination followed. As if New York was satisfied with its lead abroad.
It must be said that with Sean Johnson at the top of his game in goal, it’s hard to blame them for closing the game.e minute. One of his two decisive stops in this meeting.
Montreal has embroidered, knitted, made its macrame. But nothing worked. You want a convincing example? The hosts sent 30 crosses to the Pigeons box in this match, compared to zero on the other side.
Then, in stoppage time in the first period, the disaster. A lethal counterattack by the Cityzens. And a Héber, a good surface fox, who hit the bull’s eye by outwitting James Pantemis. 2-0. Just before going to untie their legs, the Saputo stadium fans are speechless.
Experienced Pigeons
Romell Quioto, the team’s leading scorer for the season, finally returned to the game after an absence of about a month. And he received a standing ovation from the crowd in the second half. He embodied, at the 54eCF Montreal’s best comeback hopes at the time.
But the momentum generated was short-lived. An error by Ismaël Koné in the middle, who moreover had played an excellent match, forced Pantemis into an obvious fault in his area. Penalty, New York. And Talles Magno, entered a few minutes earlier, to convert it without problem. 3-0. Game, set and match.
Despite the goodwill of Alistair Johnston in particular, who struggled from start to finish, the New Yorkers’ experience and solid defense proved everything in the second half.
The only real moment of celebration at Stade Saputo: Mihailovic’s header in the 85e, which forced jailer Johnson to make a rare mistake. The cross came from the foot of Zachary Brault-Guillard, who came into play a few minutes earlier.
The next few weeks now promise to be eventful for CF Montreal. His head coach Wilfried Nancy’s contract file will be on top of the pile.