This game was absolutely crazy from start to finish. CF Montreal scored 3 or more goals on the road for the second game in a row, but more importantly, were able to hold on for the win this time. CFM showed great resilience, going down twice in this game, and other than some defensive breakdowns, it was a really good game by Montreal. Kei Kamara would be a fair shout for man of the match. Kamara recorded his first goal in a CF Montreal shirt, and added two assist as well.
First Half:
The roller coaster that was the first half, kicked off in the 12th minute, when Brandon Vazquez opened the scoring for FC Cincinnati. Alvas Powell sent in a low cross that Sebastian Breza got a hand to but couldn’t hold on, and Vazquez was the quickest to react. 1-0 Cincinnati.
Ismael Koné, fresh off his first two appearances for Canada, forced a save out of FC Cincinnati keeper Alec Kann in the 17th minute. Cincinnati weren’t able to get reset defensively, and Dorde Mihailovic made them pay. Mihailovic got his man one-on-one, created space for himself, and placed a perfect shot in the corner to level the game at 1.
FC Cincinnati were ahead again only 3 minutes later. A careless turnover by CF Montreal lead to a quick counter attack that had the Orange and Blue on a two-on-one. Vazquez sent in a dangerous pass, that Alistair Johnston would put in is own net trying to get back defensively.
It should’ve been 3 for Cincinnati, but Dominique Badji sent his header wide after a brilliant cross from Brandan Vazquez.
CF Montreal would make him pay for that miss, and it would be Mihailovic again. Victor Wanyama would steal the ball in the midfield, that lead to a quick CFM counter attack. Wanyama would find Kei Kamara who held up the ball well, before picking out Mihailovic who found the net for the second time.
And right before the break CF Montreal would take their first lead. One minute into added time, Wanyama would pick out Kei Kamara who this time would take it himself and give Montreal the 3-2 lead. Also Kamara’s first goal for Montreal.
Second Half:
Kei Kamara almost got his second goal of the contest in the 53th, when he bullied his defender to get a chance one-on-one with the Kann. Kamara’s shot from about 20 yards out went just wide.
FC Cincinnati would make CF Montreal pay a couple minutes later, when Powell would make a great run into the CFM box and Rudy Camacho would take him down for a penalty. Lucho Acosta would step up and send Breza the wrong way, and it’s all tied again.
The back and forth game would continue and in the 67th minute, Montreal would take the lead back. Joaquin Torres, who was basically invisible up until this point, jumped on a loose ball and started and quick two-on-two counter attack. He then played a delayed one-two with Kamara and Torres has his first goal of the season…and then he was immediately subbed off.
The scoreline would stay that way until late in the game when FC Cincinnati would keep pressing. Junior Moreno would get close in the 87th, when his shot just went over the cross bar. Nick Markanich somehow missed a header from in close, and late into stoppage time Lucho Acosta’s shot/ cross was palmed over the cross bar by Breza. And CF Montreal would hold on to win.
Obviously, Wilfred Nancy would like to not concede 3 goals, but he’ll be thrilled with the win and the 3 points. The injury situation is hopefully getting better, but if Kei Kamara can continue on with this form, the injured strikers can take their time!
CF Montreal’s next game will be next Saturday when they travel to New York to take on the Red Bulls.
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And here is the latest NSFW podcast where the boys are taking March Madness Final Four.