It was not a game for Donovan Pines to remember. The DC United centre-back was credited with an own goal in the first half, and was then sent off in the later stages of the game. It wasn’t the best performance from CF Montreal but they got the job done.
First Half:
Lassi Lappalainen had the first good chance of the game under 10 minutes in. He was picked out by a great cross from Joaquin Torres, he rounded the keeper, but his shot went wide of the post.
In the 35th minute, it was DC’s turn for a big opportunity to score. A great ball into the CF Montreal box found Miguel Berry all alone in the 6 yard box, but James Pantemis rushed out and closed down the angle and made the big save.
CF Montreal would open the scoring in the 41st minute. A good counter attack would lead to Zachary Brault-Guillard sending in a beautiful cross that Donovan Pines couldn’t get enough of, and he ended up deflecting the ball past the DC United keeper for the own goal.
Second Half:
The second half saw a bunch of half chances at best until the 75th minute. Christian Benteke was played through on goal, but once again, Pantemis read the play really well and closed down the angle to make a big save.
Just a couple minutes later, Ismael Koné was played in on goal and was taken down by Donovan Pines. Initially, nothing was called, but after a VAR check CF Montreal was awarded a penalty and Pines was sent off.
Joaquin Torres stepped up with a chance to put this game away, but it was a huge save from David Ochoa to keep his team alive.
Even though Torres missed the penalty, Montreal was never threatened again and would be able to hold on to the 1-0 win.
This win puts CF Montreal only 2 points back of Philadelphia for 1 place in the east, and going into the last game of the season, could overtake the Union. CF Montreal hit the road to face Inter Miami, while the Union take on Toronto FC.
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