CF Montreal Triumphs Over New York Red Bulls
In an impressive display on Sunday, CF Montreal conquered the New York Red Bulls with a decisive 3-0 victory, marking a strong start to their season. The match saw Wiki Carmona shine against his former club, netting two goals, while Prince Owusu contributed with a penalty kick early in the game.
Match Highlights
Montreal opened the scoring just eight minutes into the match. Owusu converted a penalty kick following a foul committed by New York’s defender Justin Che on Iván Jaime. This marked Montreal’s first goal of the season, providing them with a crucial early advantage.
Carmona, showcasing his skills, doubled the lead just before halftime with an unassisted goal from a free kick in the 44th minute, sending Montreal into the break with a comfortable 2-0 scoreline. The former Red Bull then capped off the scoring in the 68th minute, stealing possession and scoring again without assistance, solidifying the team’s commanding performance.
The victory was particularly sweet for Carmona, who had struggled to find the back of the net during his previous season with New York, where he went scoreless in 21 starts.
Goalkeeping and Coaching Highlights
Montreal’s goalkeeper, Thomas Gillier, earned his first ever clean sheet in his 11th start, making five saves. This was a significant turnaround for Gillier, who had conceded eight goals in his first two matches of the season. For the Red Bulls, Ethan Horton, in his third MLS start, managed a single save, having just come off a clean sheet in a prior match against the New England Revolution.
The Red Bulls, led by rookie head coach Michael Bradley, aimed to make history by opening the season with three consecutive wins, a feat never accomplished before. However, that ambition hit a snag against a revitalized Montreal side. The New York team featured a youthful lineup, with teenagers such as Julian Hall, Adri Mehmeti, and Matthew Dos Santos starting for the third match in a row.
Marco Donadel achieved his first victory as interim head coach for Montreal after stepping up last season when the team battled to avoid the playoffs, finishing in 13th place.
Looking Ahead
Historically, New York had dominated this matchup last season, outscoring Montreal 3-0 in their two encounters. Looking ahead, the Red Bulls will face Toronto FC this Saturday, while Montreal will continue their road journey against Orlando City, marking the fourth of six consecutive away matches to kick off the season.
This victory not only boosts Montreal’s confidence but also sets the stage for a promising season.
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