CF Montreal allowed two goals with one player less, but still snatched a 2-2 draw from the Philadelphia Union on Saturday evening at Subaru Park.
The Bleu-blanc-noir sounded the charge when Sunusi Ibrahim scored the sixth goal in the team’s MLS history in the first minute of play, but the door opened in an instant.
While trying to take the ball from José Martinez, Ariel Lassiter hit him in the face with his elbow and he received a red card. The Union (4-4-8) took the opportunity to take the lead, through Daniel Gazdag and Mikael Uhre.
The Philadelphia team, however, returned the favor to their opponents when Jack Elliott committed a violent foul to also receive a red card.
Samuel Piette tied the game with his first goal since August 27, 2021, giving his team an almost unexpected point.
CF Montreal (4-7-5) remained undefeated in its last three outings, but it has not won at Subaru Park since September 15, 2018 (0-3-3). On the other hand, the Union has no more success at home, while it has not enjoyed a victory in its last six games in front of its supporters (0-4-2).
The Bleu-blanc-noir was deprived of the services of Quebecer Mathieu Choinière, who was suspended for an accumulation of yellow cards. In the same vein, Lassiter will be suspended for his team’s next game, Saturday June 15 at Saputo stadium, against Real Salt Lake.
In addition, goalkeeper Sebastian Breza got his first start in MLS this season.
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Laurent Courtois’ squad hit hard and quickly during this match, as they took the lead from the 50the second of play.
Ruan passed the ball to Dominic Iankov, who chose the right moment to join Ibrahim in front of the penalty area. The Nigerian’s curling shot went to the left of goalkeeper Oliver Semmle, who was unable to stop it by diving.
CF Montreal fans might have believed at that moment that their team was in for an offensive feast, but the Union showed that it was just a small blip.
In the fifth minute, Uhre came back to the center and fired a shot that Breza saved by diving to his right. Moments later, during a corner kick, Martinez and Jakob Glesnes tried their luck, but without success.
During a counterattack, at the 24e minute, Breza stood out in front of Gazdag before reserving the same fate for Jack McGlynn, during a free kick near the penalty area, in the 35e minute.
Before the end of the first half, while the Bleu-blanc-noir was already suffering in possession, Lassiter made a muscular gesture which did not go unpunished. Referee Ted Unkel had given him a yellow card, but after checking, he took a red from his pocket.
Returning from the locker room, the Union got going and scored two goals in almost two minutes of play.
After Breza made a save, he reached out and tripped Gazdag in the penalty area. Unkel awarded a penalty, which the Hungarian easily converted. Then, a turnover opened the door for Uhre, who got rid of defender George Campbell before hitting the target.
Jim Curtin’s men seemed to be heading for a rather easy victory, but Elliott committed a stupid foul on Raheem Edwards, bringing the two teams back to equal strength.
The mistake was costly as soon as play resumed. Bryce Duke’s cross hit Uhre, Semmle’s hand and the post before Piette pushed the ball into an empty net.
CF Montreal then found a way to resist defensively in the final minutes of the match.