NYCFC return to win column with 1-0 win over Montreal
Courtesy: NYCFC
By Chris Tsakonas
New York City FC have finally earned their first road win of the season, defeating CF Montreal 1-0 at Stade Saputo. The win snaps an 11-match winless streak for NYCFC, and stretches their unbeaten run to six matches.
“I think the next three points were going to be huge - and we knew they were right around the corner,” NYCFC manager Nick Cushing said.
Both sides recorded a shot within the opening five minutes, and New York City got an early shot on goal from Santi Rodriguez on a counterattack that went right into the arms of Montreal goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois.
The breakthrough came for New York City in the 33rd minute. Braian Cufre brought the ball down the left wing before delivering a cross into the penalty area - and Matias Pellegrini fired it into the top right corner on a bicycle kick to make it 1-0.
“I told him yesterday that he will score, [and] I really believed it, because he works like an animal,” Cushing said. “He's had a real desire not only to work for the team to score a goal and be making an impact for the team.”
Mason Toye had the first shot on goal for Montreal in the 51st minute, getting on the end of a setup from Sunusi Ibrahim for a shot that was ultimately stopped by New York City goalkeeper Luis Barraza.
City looked to have doubled their lead in the 68th minute, when Cufre delivered another cross into the area - and this time it was Rodriguez on the finish. The assistant referee quickly raised the flag for offside, and no VAR review was needed to confirm the decision.
Montreal created danger in the 75th minute, when Jules-Anthony Vilsaint fired a dangerous shot from 25 yards out - but NYCFC keeper Luis Barraza made the diving save at the near right post to preserve the shutout. Vilsaint had another shot from outside the area in the 90th minute, but it was saved again by Barraza.
Justin Haak was excellent again tonight. Maxime Chanot is Maxime Chanot - he is a leader,” Cushing said. “Tavon Gray has really found some form lately playing the inside, ao it's been a huge positive for us and gave us a chance to get results.”
Montreal won the possession battle, holding the ball for 58.1 percent of the match. NYCFC were narrowly outshot 11-10 by CF Montreal, but did have the 7-3 advantage in shots on goal.
It’s a quick turnaround for New York City FC, who await a Wednesday night matchup against Charlotte FC at Citi Field.
“It means nothing if we don’t win against Charlotte,” Cushing said. “The nature of our league is streaks are really important. The losing streaks affect your league position and the winning streaks push you up the league, and this gave us a chance to push up two back to back wins together, so we just prepare for Charlotte now.”