CF Montreal managed to secure their first win of the season as they came away with a big win on the road in Cincinnati at TQL Stadium.
A back and forth first half
The visitors got the first shot of the game as Joaquin Torres got a great shot off from distance but Alec Kann the Cincinnati goalkeeper made the first save in the third minute of the game. Cincinnati opened the scoring in the 12th minute as Brandon Vasquez found a loose rebound and put it in the back of the net.
Ismael Kone had a great chance to equalize the game with a great shot from distance in the 15th minute but Kann was able to make the save. Soon after, Montreal responded when Djordje Mihailovic with a curling shot found the back of the net to make it 1-1.
Cincinnati regained the lead two minutes later as Vasquez ran up the flank and took a shot that went off Alistair Johnston and into the back of the net for the own goal. Johnston tested Kann with a powerful shot again from distance but he was able to make the save on the ensuing play.
Breza who once again got the start in goal made a good diving save in the 35th minute off a shot from Dominque Badji the Cincinnati striker. Mihailovic tied the game at two in the 41st minute when he got the ball and powered a shot from the top of the box that went through Kann and into the net.
Vasquez tried to score his second goal two minutes later but his shot went right into the hands of Breza who made another diving save. Kei Kamara gave Montreal its first lead of the game in extra time in the 46th minute as he found himself one on one with Kann and beat him with a shot that went through his legs.
Vibes in Cincy after 45.#CFMTL pic.twitter.com/nUVw9ORr2W
— CF Montréal (@cfmontreal) April 2, 2022
Montreal hangs on
Kamara had a great chance to extend Montreal’s lead in the 52nd minute but his shot went wide of the net. Seven minutes later Montreal conceded a penalty as Rudy Camacho took down Alvas Powell in the box. Luciano Acosta shot from the spot beat Breza to tie the game at three.
Torres made it 4-3 for Montreal in the 67th minute as he did a great give and go with Kamara and with a great finish tucked into the back of the net and was immediately subbed off for Matko Miljevic. Wilfred Nancy made his second change of the game in the 72nd minute bringing in Zachary Brault Guillard for Johnston.
Lassi Lappalainen had a great scoring chance in the 73rd minute as he tried to cross the ball but Kann was able to swat the ball out of danger. Three minutes later Camacho tested Kann again but the keeper was able to make the save. Montreal earned a late free-kick in extra time but the ball went out.
Nancy made a final change taking out Lappalainen for Robert Thorkellson as five minutes were added to the 90. Cincinnati pushed for the equalizer and had a great chance but Breza made another outstanding hand save as he slapped the ball out.
The final whistle blew and CF Montreal had secured their first win of the MLS season in a tough high scoring affair.
7 goals! This game! 🔥
Joaquin Torres puts @cfmontreal back on top! pic.twitter.com/dFxAXOUW19
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) April 2, 2022
Coach reaction
“I want to enjoy the win, during the game I wasn’t happy with the way we conceded the goals during the game and today we weren’t strong defensively so I will take the time to analyze that and the fact that I am the coach I really want to savor the win.”
Player reaction
Djordje Mihalovic who was named the player of the game spoke about the emotions and the ups and downs and finally getting the first win of the season.
“It’s great to get the first win of the season, it’s a little late than when we wanted it but we got it done and it’s good that it happened in this type of game because they went up twice in the first half and we crawled our way back and that shows the character that we have on this team.”
Kei Kamara whose goal today was the 131st of his MLS career was super pleased with the win and was all smiles in his post-match press conference.
“This team was able to go on the road and win and it sucked last time against Atlanta and this is part of the learning so we are very positive about this result.”
Montreal will be back in action next Saturday as they will travel to Harrison, New Jersey, to face the New York Red Bulls at Red Bull Arena.
