CF Montréal 2 – FC Cincinnati 1: A resounding arrival home

MONTREAL – There was a terrible game to forget and the fans were attending. There are two reasons that allowed us to believe that the Montreal club was preparing a big move.

Between preparation and implementation, there is often a big step to take. With an opponent like FC Cincinnati in front, it was a big move on Saturday evening for the Bleu Blanc Noir. But he carried out his mission skillfully.

In a packed Saputo Stadium preparing for an eagerly awaited return home, Montreal's 11 players dictated the rules of the game and treated themselves to an impressive 2-1 victory over one of Major League Soccer's powerhouses. With this feat, he placed in his souvenir drawer a series of three reverses which he returned in his luggage.

In this successful team effort, Joseph Martinez transcended the conflict. Entering the game in the 26th minute in response to an injury to Matias Coccaro, the star striker christened his new home with distinction. He tickled the strings in first-half stoppage time, then was the last to set up Ariel Lassiter's winner in the 62nd minute.

After missing the only two matches he has started, Martinez continues to stand out as a luxury option off the bench for Laurent Courtois. In just 376 minutes of play, he now has a record three goals and four assists.

“Joseph, I repeat, for me it is a Lamborghini,” Courtois explained in a press conference.

“In the way he moves, in the way he feels around him. […] He sees passes and actions that no one sees, and I wish we could talk more about his ability to evade his goalkeeper's attention, to create space between him and the opponent. It's a science he masters like very few players I've seen in my short career. »

The match in which Martinez opened the score supports the wonderful description given by Courtois. As Raheem Edwards weighs his options on the left of the penalty area, two defenders respond to Lassiter's running while another White Jacket is obsessed with the ball. Martinez, positioned near the penalty area, was spotted and had enough time to land a left-footed strike before the enemy reacted.

Regarding the winning goal, Martinez planted doubt in the head of defender Matt Miazga with a short acceleration. After cleverly keeping the opponent alert with furtive glances to his right, he joined Lassiter in running straight ahead of him. With one touch, the ball was down.

Lassiter sends his message

Used as a left-back since the start of the season, the Costa Rica international has been established in a more attacking role on the left side. The decision paid off. Lassiter was at the heart of several threats in this match, as his team fired 17 shots into the opponent's net. It was his first goal since May 31, 2023.

“In this situation, I saw a lot of space behind the defence. As soon as Josef received the ball, my idea was formed. His passes were perfect and I had no intention but to drive towards goal. It is something I hope to have the opportunity to do again.

Lassiter's goal came less than five minutes after the equalizer scored by Yuya Kubo. This reaction of the guests could have shaken the hosts, who were weakened by their recent results, but that did not happen. The Impact team witnessed some dangerous moments in the last twenty minutes, but they were able to confront the invaders and obtain three well-deserved points.

“Today's content for me is really what I want,” Courtois said satisfied. How men come out, and how we want to be recognized. In addition, after the equalizer, we knew how to stay calm and continue the game and always during the game to try to score the second goal. So there you have it, I'm very happy with the three points, but actually very happy with the content. »

As for Coccaro, who appeared to have been injured while falling from a violent aerial duel, he appeared to suffer pain in his left knee before leaving the match. Courtois was sparing details of his condition, but a post-match photo posted on the club's X account shows him wearing a knee brace, leaning on a crutch.

CF Montreal will return in front of its fans next Saturday. The Orlando City Lions will be the visitors at Saputo Stadium.