After 45 minutes of this game, it looked like CF Montreal was going to get their first win of the season. Ismael Koné played his best game in a CFM shirt, the offense finally showed up, and Montreal controlled most of the game, but that was all wasted in the final ten minutes of the game.
First Half:
Early in this game, CF Montreal’s mistakes from the back would continue and it cost them a goal once again. Joel Waterman initially controlled a misplaced pass well, but then took too much time at the back, and played the ball to Ismael Koné who in turn would give the ball away to Josef Martinez who slotted by Sebastian Breza. CFM were down 1-0 after only 6 minutes.
It could’ve been 2 for Atlanta in the 15th minute, after a quickly taken set piece found youngster Tyler Wolff wide open in the 18 yard box, but luckily for CF Montreal, he completed mistimed his shot attempted and didn’t even make connection.
Koné would redeem himself in the 28th minute, after he played a perfect pass to Dorde Mihailovic which led to a 2-0 against the Atlanta keeper. Mihailovic out waited Brad Guzan and took the chance himself to level the game at 1.
Koné would then go from assist man to goal scorer 9 minutes later. Koné showed great determination to beat his man to a beautiful Lassi Lappalainen cross and score from inside the box. 2-1 CF Montreal.
And Koné wasn’t done yet. In the 41st minute, Koné had a great run to get around Miles Robinson and would draw a penalty out of the Atlanta defender. Romell Quioto would step up for CF Montreal and score from the penalty spot.
Romell Quioto had the last chance of the first half, but Brad Guzan came through with his first save of the game keeping the score at 3-1 Montreal.
Second Half:
CF Montreal started the second half playing rather defensively and Atlanta had the bulk of possession. Their best chance in the first 10 minuntes, came in the 52nd, when a nice cross fell to Andrew Gutman, but his volleyed effort only found the side netting.
Dow Dwyer would come on for Atlanta in the 64th minute and receive a straight red card only three minutes after being subbed on the pitch. Being up two goals, and now up a man, Montreal were clear favourites to win.
Quioto would force not one but two saves out of Brad Guzan in the 77th and 82nd minute, and that would be absolutely huge for Atlanta…
In the 85th, Montreal would give away a VERY cheap corner after another mistake at the back. That corner led to a Thiago Almada wonderstrike to give Atlanta United hope at 3-2.
Then the unthinkable. Atlanta would earn a free kick from about 30 yards away from goal that Brooks Lennon would take a score past Sebastian Breza. The Montreal keeper really should’ve done better and it cost his team all three points…
This is a real shame that CF Montreal couldn’t hold on for all three points and I’m sure Wilfred Nancy would agree. To be up two goals and up a man, your team should be walking away the winners 100% of the time. It’s really unfortunate that Sebastian Breza couldn’t make a save when CF Montreal needed him the most, after all the great saves he’s made while the team has been trailing in games.
In any case, CF Montreal do have their first point of the season, so there’s one positive from this game. But it’ll be tougher to get over this disappointing result because there is now a two week break in the MLS season for international games. The next time CF Montreal will be in action is April 2nd against FC Cincinnati.
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