Montreal, QC (July 15, 2015) – The struggles continued for Saint Louis FC north of the boarder. In their first match of this Canada road trip, they fell 5-2 to FC Montreal in their first ever meeting.
Saint Louis FC still sits on 18 points (4-7-6) but is only four points out of a playoff spot in the USL Eastern Conference. FC Montreal have 11 points (3-11-2) and are still at the bottom of the table despite two straight wins.
Saint Louis FC Fall To FC Montreal
The visitors came out on fire, possessing the ball and creating chances through good build up play. They went ahead in the 5th minute on a set piece when James Musa volleyed a cross from Bryan Gaul.
After the opening 10 minutes, the game turned. FC Montreal settled down and responded to the initial flurry from Saint Louis FC. In the 13th minute, a quick transition play lead to an excellent far post finish by Charles Joly to tie the match, 1-1.
In the 25th minute, Joly would head a long cross high into the air and over goalkeeper, Mark Pais, to take the lead. Joly would complete the first half hat trick in the 40th minute. The half would end with FC Montreal leading 3-1.
“To give up three goals in the final 25 minutes of the first half is unacceptable. I’m very disappointed with our performance up front in the beginning of the game, and I’m just as disappointed with our performance at the back at the end of the first half,” said Head Coach Dale Schilly after the match.
Saint Louis FC would bring on Parker Maher and Charles Renken to try and spark the offense in the second half. Schilly already had to use a substitution in the 31st minute as Jermie Lynch had to come off with an injury. Aaron Horton came on, making his debut for the club.
FC Montreal would extend their lead to 4-1 in the 51st minute off a shot from Zakaria Messoudi.
Mike Ambersley would claw one back 20 minutes later. Kentaro Takada sent in a lobbing cross. Ambersley chipped it into the air. Montreal keeper David Paulmin came off his line to challenge, but Ambersley was able to head the ball into the net.
Montreal would be the better of the two sides creating more chances and forcing Saint Louis to chase as they played keep away. The victory was secured in the 87th minute on a goal from Alessandro Riggi.
Schilly added “there is no way we can win at this level without scoring the type of goals we missed early in the game. It has to be better. We also need to know that giving up soft goals like we did today will not allow us to win.”
Saint Louis FC travel to Ontario to take on Toronto FC II on Saturday. Kick off is set for 7:00 PM CST and will be streamed on Youtube.
