We don’t know exactly what bewitched the clashes between Montreal and Cincinnati. But the magic doesn’t seem about to fade.
Posted at 8:32 p.m.
Updated at 9:42 p.m.
CF Montreal won 4-3 in a truly festive atmosphere at Stade Saputo. A double from Romell Quioto, as well as successes from Mathieu Choinière and Joel Waterman ignited the party.
Wilfried Nancy has accustomed us to moderation when it comes to analyzing his team’s performance, in victory as in defeat. Despite the goals conceded, he is still delighted with Saturday night’s accomplishment.
“We are happy to have won because we are coming out of a long cycle,” he commented after the match, referring to the sequence of 5 matches in 15 days before the international break.
“It wasn’t a great game. We had started well, but then Cincinnati posed problems with the way they played. […] But the fact that we’re going on vacation, we’ll forget. »
The only downside for the 14,225 spectators gathered: the premature exit of Djordje Mihailovic. The American midfielder had to leave the meeting at the 17e minute after an ankle injury. He will hope that his recent selection with the United States is not endangered.
“It’s not something serious, reassured Nancy. He’s had this before. His ankle has turned a little. »
goal fest
Let’s try to recap this other crazy match between the two clubs.
The visitors helped themselves to the first slice of the cake at the 12e minute. Junior Moreno hit the mark at the mouth of the net by taking a pass with his head after a corner.
Five minutes later, Montreal tied the game in favor of a similar game. And it was Joel Waterman who enjoyed a second goal this season – and in his career. He was served by a pass from the head of Kamal Miller. His arabesque strike was beyond doubt.
Waterman’s mother and father were even present to witness their boy’s feat. The latter was delighted to be able to offer them this gift.
“It was such a special moment, for me and for them,” Waterman told the media.
“It was the first time my father had come to Montreal. He’s a pretty emotional guy. […] I’m really blessed to have been able to score in front of them. »
It was also the seventh goal scored by a Montreal defender this season, which equaled a club record set in 2013 and 2021.
Despite the equalizer, CF Montreal had difficulty putting their game down in the first half. Cincinnati had installed intense pressure which put a brake on the offensive attempts of the Bleu-et-noir.
This did not prevent him from finally taking the lead at the very end of the period. Joaquín Torres served a sublime pass to Romell Quioto in the middle, in front of the box. If the latter had poor control of the ball, it was still less worse than the mess of the defenders and the goalkeeper in front of him. He ran away with the leather behind all these beautiful people and pushed the ball into the strings. 2-1. Everyone in the locker room.
Wilfried Nancy’s squad did it again as soon as they returned to the pitch. And it was Mathieu Choinière who found his touch of marker, this time. Kei Kamara, who entered a few seconds earlier, made a magnificent little gesture in the area. The Quebecer shot on reception in the skylight. 3-1 Montreal, at the 46e minute. It was only the third goal of his MLS career.
The diversification of the Montreal attack did not fail to make midfielder Victor Wanyama smile, moreover.
“It’s a bit awkward to see Joel score,” he jokes. But I’m happy for him. He goes to the places where we want him to be. And he does the right things. »
As for Mathieu Choinière, Wanyama notes how “he is a good player”.
“Everyone in the team is starting to score goals. Hope mine is coming soon! »
Alvaro Barreal then reduced the gap to 3-2 (52e). Romell Quioto scored from the penalty spot to make it 4-2 (59e) and get its double. As the Montreal crowd made the wave, Junior Moreno broke it at the 63e going for his own double for the 4-3.
From then on, Cincinnati was pushing. Montreal defended. The atmosphere was tense. But deliverance finally came after a long period of pressure from visitors.
Wilfried Nancy’s men won by the same mark in Ohio earlier this season. Last year, in Montreal, the locals won 5-4. You never get bored against Cincinnati. Players aren’t quite sure why, though.
“It’s crazy!, loose Wanyama. At home like at home, there are always a lot of goals. But we fought today. We had to do a dirty job. But we did. »
We have fun counting the number of goals scored in total since the famous July 2021 game at Stade Saputo. That is 23.
“It’s way too much!” said Wanyama, laughing. I don’t know what causes this. But it’s a good team. »