CF Montreal conceded two goals in seven minutes and lost 2-0 to New York City FC at Yankee Stadium on Wednesday night.
In the days leading up to the game, head coach Hernan Losada spoke about the tight and small field that NYCFC plays in and also mentioned the new players that have recently arrived city cens
. Unfortunately, his men ran out of solutions.
In fact, they found some in the second half, but New York City FC (6-10-11) already seemed to be in protection mode. The damage was done within seven minutes of the first half.
Obviously there was a difference between the first and second half. In the beginning it was complicated for us. I don’t know if it’s the terrain, but that goes for both teams. Our team managed to improve, but both goals came from situations we avoided
analyzed Losada.
The two goals in question came from Andres Jasson and Monsef Bakrar. For Bakrar, who arrived in New York in mid-July, it was the first MLS goal of his career.
The common denominator of these two successes is that CF Montreal (11-13-2), despite limited space on the pitch, were caught under light pressure and failed to recover long balls from their opponents.
Losada had targeted midfielders Andres Perea and Keaton Parks for NYCFC’s attacking actions, but they easily mounted an attack in the first half.
We put pressure on Perea and Parks because we knew they are the two creative players, but when they played the long ball to avoid the pressure, our midfielders weren’t there in time. We had to be closer in pressure. Even with a bad touch, they had a chance to win the ball back because we were far away. The two goals, that’s it
a, remarked Losada.
The game could have been different if Lassi Lappalainen had scored in the 19th minute instead of seeing the ball hit the bar. Goalkeeper Matt Freese also saved a shot from Mathieu Choinière, who could have narrowed the lead to a goal in the second half.
Nothing to improve the Montreal squad’s record abroad this season. She suffered a tenth loss in 14 games and was suspended on opposing courts for the tenth time in 2024.
We need too many chances to score, Losada simply lost. When we are abroad, we have to be efficient.
Despite a first setback in their last four games, CF Montreal missed an opportunity to distance themselves from NYCFC and other teams in the fight for the Eastern Conference playoffs. The sum of Wednesday’s positive results nevertheless allowed him to maintain eighth place.
Nick Cushing’s men came within three points of the Chicago Fire to finish ninth and final, which gave them playoff entry.
Forward Ariel Lassiter was injured in practice during the Montrealers’ gameless break and returned to the game. He missed his side’s two wins as they returned after being eliminated early from the League Cup.
CF Montreal will return to action on Saturday night with Wilfried Nancy and the Columbus Crew. This will be Nancy’s first game at the Stade Saputo since she took charge of the team during the off-season.
Two quick goals that hurt
CF Montreal was able to repel the opponent’s attacks early in the game and managed to push the attack forward. Lappalainen’s right foot shot smacked Freese but didn’t hit the bar.
New York City FC responded minutes later when Braian Cufre grazed the bar after a powerful left-footed shot.
The home team was able to recover with two quick goals in the 30th and 37th minutes.
After accepting a pass down the middle, Cufre sent the ball right to Jasson, who caught defender Gabriele Corbo flat-footed before firing in a precise left foot. The NYCFC added as Bakrar got rid of Joel Waterman to fool Jonathan Sirois vigilance with a low shot.
Two goals down, the Montrealers picked up the pace in the second half and tried their luck a few times without taking the lead. Lassiter and Choinière both met Freese.
The New York team thought they had scored the third goal when Maximiliano Moralez pushed behind the opposition defense to move the ropes in the 69th minute, but the touchline referee ruled the Argentine was offside.
The bleu-blanc-noir was no longer able to threaten in the final quarter of an hour, which was jerky due to numerous interruptions, and saw its winning streak come to an end.
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