Romell Quioto opening minute goal who also added a second for the brace and CF Montreal secured a crucial win on the road against D.C. United at Audi Field in Washington, DC.
Romell Quioto brace leads CF Montreal past D.C. United
Montreal gets off to a fast start
46 seconds into the game Romell Quioto off a horrible turnover opened the scoring as he stole the ball from Donovan Pines and was able to pull United goalkeeper Rafael Romo out of his net and was able to slide the ball into the back of the net for the very early 1-0 lead.
The visitors thought they had made it 2-0 in the 17th minute as he got a great feed from Quioto and put the ball into the back of the net but the offside flag went up immediately negating the goal. D.C. United had their first scoring chance of the game in the 25th minute but Miguel Barry was denied by James Pantemis who was making his second consecutive start.
On the ensuing corner Taxi Fountas had another chance at goal but his header was saved by Pantemis who made another stellar save. The home side was starting to apply pressure on the visitors and again Pantemis was sprung into action and made another save.
Quioto scored his second of the game in the 36th minute as he was able to chip the ball over Romo to make it 2-0 for the visitors. Lassi Lappalainen had his first scoring opportunity of the game in the 45th minute but this Romo was able to make the save.
In the dying minutes of the first half, D.C. United earned a corner, and Fountas from just outside the box powered a shot on target but Pantemis came up with a huge save to deny him once again. The first half finished with Montreal up by two goals.
Montreal holds on for a crucial road win
Fountas had the first scoring chance of the second half in the 51st minute as it was Fountas again with a chance to reduce Montreal’s lead but Pantemis was up to the task of making the save. D.C. United finally got the breakthrough in the 56th minute as off a set piece Steven Birnbaum headed a ball past Pantemis into the back of the net to make it 2-1.
Barry had a chance to tie the game in the 63rd minute with a powerful shot on target but Pantemis was able to make a brilliant save and on the ensuing play head coach Wilfried Nancy made three changes bringing in Mathieu Choiniere, Kei Kamara, and Matko Miljevic.
Fountas was at again in the 74th minute as he was able to get a header on target but Pantemis made a key save as D.C. United were looking for the equalizer and Nancy made his 4th change taking out Quioto for Joaquin Torres. After five minutes of added time the visitors secured the win and another three crucial points.
Nancy pleased with the win
CF Montreal head coach was pleased with the quick start and was happy to get a crucial three points on the road.
” This is us in terms of playing on the road and at home and we know sometimes that is not easy but the spirit is always the same, this is reward for the players because the way they pressed and the way it happened it was because the team was proactive in term of the way they defended and we provoked the error so I am happy”.
Waterman happy with the opening minute goal
” Anytime you can score in the first minute it helps to get off to a good start, At times I thought when we come out strong we sit back and we take it for granted a little bit so I think we need to do a better job at that but with that first half you gotta love when we score in that first minute”.
Johnston thrilled with the big win on the road
” It for sure helps and it doesn’t hurt and it takes the crowd out of it too and gives you that early boost and credit to Romell for pressing the center back and putting him in a difficult situation and the class and composure to put it away was pretty special and it was the perfect start”.
This was the third time CF Montreal had scored a goal in the opening minute of a game and the first time on the road tonight, Samuel Piette missed tonight’s game due to an illness not related to Covid. Montreal will be back in action as they welcome the defending MLS champs NYCFC to Saputo Stadium next Saturday night at 7:30pm.
