CHESTER, PA – CF Montreal keeps their unbeaten streak alive. They travelled to Philadephia to face the Union who is the current number one team in the East and were able to get a draw thanks to a second-half goal by Kei Kamara.
CF Montreal keeps its unbeaten streak alive
Une grosse, grosse bataille 💪💪💪#CFMTL pic.twitter.com/O6f4QNSy3o
— CF Montréal (@cfmontreal) April 23, 2022
A tough first half for the visitors
The home side started the game putting pressure on the Montreal defence and in the first minute earned a freekick and put Sebastien Breza under attack but he managed to make two big saves early in the game. Montreal earned their first freekick of the game in the 10-minute but Djordje Mihailovic’s kick went too far and out of bounds.
Carranza from the spot puts us up in the first half! ⚡#DOOP | #PHIvMTL 1-0 pic.twitter.com/xuG24iaule
— X – Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) April 23, 2022
Eight minutes later, Philadelphia earned a penalty kick when Julian Carranza was taken down in the box by Kamal Miller and he easily put the ball past Breza catching him on the opposite side of the net to give the home side a 1-0 lead. In the 24-minute, Montreal was given another free-kick but Mihailovic’s shot went right into Andre Blake’s hands.
Ismaël Koné had a great chance with Montreal first shot on target in the 30-minute but the Philadelphia keeper Blake was able to make the save. Two minutes later Carranza was at it again this time with a header on target but Breza was able to save it this time. The first half finished with the visitors down by one looking to get back in the game and keep their unbeaten streak alive.
Montreal comes back to salvage a draw
At the beginning of the second half, Wilfried Nancy made his first change of the game bringing in Kei Kamara for Ibrahim Sunusi looking to spark the offence. In the 56-minute, Montreal tested Blake again with a quick shot cross but it went right into his hands.
ON RÉPLIQUE!
And we dance with @keikamara & @QuiotoSamir 🤩#PHIvMTL | 1-1 | #CFMTL pic.twitter.com/2vSxMCCkW2
— CF Montréal (@cfmontreal) April 23, 2022
Kei Kamara tied the game two minutes later as he received a great through pass from Romell Quioto and managed to beat Blake with a quick shot that went between his legs and into the back of the net to make it 1-1. Danel Gazdag tested Breza in the 75-minute but the Montreal keeper again made a crucial dangerous save.
Montreal made two changes in the 82nd minute bringing in Samuel Piette and Zorhan Bassong for Lassi Lappalainan and for Piette it was his official return from injury, he hadn’t played since he was injured on international duty with Canada against Honduras in January 27th.
Four minutes were added on but no goals were scored as CF Montreal was able to take a point against the number one team in the East at Subaru Park.
Coach reaction
Head coach Wilfred Nancy despite taking a point against the best team in the East was not happy with the way his team managed the ball.
” The way we managed the ball was not good and we didn’t have the good movement to have good opportunities but in the second half we adjust a bit and we knew they are a team that likes to attack in the middle and they like to play their style so the plan was to block the middle to get the ball and be more patient”.
Player reaction
Samuel Piette who hadn’t played in three months due to an ankle injury made his return and played the last 10 minutes of the game was pretty pleased with the result.
“I think today was a good result and look we will play better games and lose games and I don’t think today was our best performance and we all know that and at some point, we have to find a way to get the win or get the points and especially on the road and this is what we are doing right now”.
Kei Kamara who scored his 132nd goal to tie the game at one in the second half was happy that his team was able to get a result against one of the best teams in the league.
“I think when you come on you instill the game plan, and after watching the first half I knew we needed some energy in the box going up and when they told me I was coming on at halftime I felt the same energy from the coaching staff and you know Philadelphia is a good team defensively and coming on I knew I had to bring my presence to the field”.
Montreal is now unbeaten in their last five games, which included wins against their Canadian rivals, the Vancouver Whitecaps FC and also against the New York Red Bulls. CF Montreal will now head home and prepare to face Atlanta United FC, this time at home at Saputo Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
