MONTREAL (August 5, 2017) – Orlando City SC (8-9-6, 30 points) fell 2-1 against the Montreal Impact (7-8-7, 27 points) at Stade Saputo.
“I thought the spirit of the group was good. I thought the fact that we scored the first goal was good but another second half where we come out really sluggish,” Lions head coach Jason Kreis said. “I don’t know what it is in the beginnings of second halves that the group seems to always come out very slow. We suffered the goal, I thought we reacted pretty well, we had some moments there after that where we got a hold of things and then unfortunately obviously we gave away the second goal.”
The Lions opened the score early in the game when Cyle Larin picked up a loose ball right outside the box and put a clinical finish past Evan Bush. It was Larin’s ninth goal of the season.
Montreal leveled the score three minutes into the second half when Ignacio Piatti was fouled in the box to draw a penalty kick. Joe Bendik blocked Piatti’s shot but the ball bounced off the post and in.
City came close to retaking the lead on several occasions in the second half. In the 64th minute, Larin received a through ball from Dom Dwyer and shot it just wide on a one-on-one against Bush. Ten minutes later, Carlos Rivas created a chance from the corner kick seconds after entering the game. His dangerous corner was flicked by Kaká to the far post but was deflected just wide of Montreal’s goal.
In the 84th minute, Anthony Jackson-Hamel scored the game-winning goal after a through ball from Blerim Dzeimalli.
The match was the first in which the video review technology was introduced.
The Lions close out the three-game road trip when they visit the New York Red Bulls next Saturday, Aug. 12, before returning home to host Columbus on Saturday, Aug. 19.
Tickets to all City home matches are available at OrlandoCitySC.com or by calling 855-ORL-CITY. Follow the latest Orlando City news and updates via Facebook, Twitter,Instagram and YouTube.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS:
First Half
9’ Joe Bendik saves a shot from Dominic Oduro at the near post.
12’ Cyle Larin picks up a loose ball on a missed clearance from Marco Donadel opens the score for the Lions with a clinical finish. It’s Larin’s ninth goal of the season. Montreal Impact 0, Orlando City 1.
14’ José Aja clears a dangerous cross inside the box to force a corner.
24’ Scott Sutter sends a long pass to the box but Dom Dwyer can’t connect it.
26’ Matteo Mancosu controls a ball on the left side of the box and fires it high.
35’ City controls the possession and it reaches Kaká at the edge of the box. The captain lays it off on the right for Sutter, who finds Dwyer in the box but his header goes high.
36’ Bendik saves a shot from Piatti inside the box.
45 (+1)’ The referee indicates the end of the first half. Montreal Impact 0, Orlando City 1.
Second Half
48’ Montreal is awarded a penalty after Piatti is fouled in the box. Piatti finishes from the spot and levels the match. Montreal Impact 1, Orlando City 1.
57’ Antonio Nocerino sends a clever ball looking for Dwyer but Victor Cabrera blocks it.
58’ Cristian Higuita shoots from the edge of the box after a set piece but his strike goes high.
63’ Bendik makes a stupendous save with his left hand after a powerful shot from Dzemaili.
64’ Dwyer sends a nice through ball to Larin, who enters the box but fires just wide of the post.
66’ Jason Kreis makes his first substitution, introducing Luis Gil for Cristian Higuita.
70’ Kaká sends a dangerous cross that almost finds Aja but the defense clears for a corner.
71’ Montreal aims to hit on the counter but Sutter intercepts a pass and heads it forward. After dribbling past two defenders, the fullback’s shot from distance goes just above the crossbar.
72’ Piatti cuts in and hits the crossbar from distance.
73’ Carlos Rivas enters the match for Dwyer.
74’ Rivas immediately creates danger taking a corner kick that a defender deflects just wide of his own goal for a corner.
78’ Piatti manages to dribble his way into the box but Johnson’s successful tackle clears the danger.
84’ Anthony Jackson-Hamel finishes inside the box after a through ball from Dzemaili. Montreal Impact 2, Orlando City 1.
84’ Giles Barnes enters the game for Nocerino.
88’ Barnes sends a dangerous cross from the right that is cleared.
93’ Bush punches away another dangerous cross from Barnes. Rivas strikes the rebound high.
93’ The referee indicates the end of the match. Montreal Impact 2, Orlando City 1.
Scoring Summary:
ORL - Cyle Larin 12’
MTL - Ignacio Piatti (Penalty) 48’
MTL - Anthony Jackson-Hamel (Blerim Dzemaili) 84’
Misconduct Summary:
None.
Lineups/Substitutions:
Montreal Impact - GK Evan Bush, D Chris Duvall, Victor Cabrera, Laurent Ciman, Daniel Lovitz, M Patrice Bernier, Marco Donadel, Blerim Dzeimalli, F Dominic Oduro (Michael Salazar 73’), Matteo Mancosu (Anthony Jackson-Hamel 79’), Ignacio Piatti (Shaun Francis 89’)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Maxime Crepeau, D Wandrille Lefevre, M Calum Mallace, Louis Beland-Goyette
Orlando City SC - GK Joe Bendik, D Donny Toia, Jonathan Spector, José Aja, Scott Sutter, M Antonio Nocerino (Giles Barnes 84’), Cristian Higuita (Luis Gil 66’), Will Johnson, ⓒ Kaká, F Cyle Larin, Dom Dwyer (Carlos Rivas 73’)
Substitutes Not Used: GK Josh Saunders, D Tommy Redding, M Servando Carrasco, Richie Laryea
Details of the Game:
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Weather: Clear
Date: August 5, 2017
Attendance: 20,801
Stats:
Possession:
MTL - 53.8%
ORL - 47.2%
Shots:
MTL - 15
ORL - 10
Saves:
MTL - 1
ORL - 5
Fouls:
MTL - 13
ORL - 9
Corners:
MTL - 9
ORL - 7
