Gustavo Vallecilla's goal lifts FC Cincinnati past CF Montreal

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:06 am

Gustavo Vallecilla recorded the tiebreaking goal in the 86th minute as visiting FC Cincinnati rallied to score twice over a 16-minute stretch and stun CF Montreal for its first victory of the season, 2-1 on Saturday at Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

With the match tied 1-1, defender Vallecilla, in his second MLS appearance, sent home a diving header off a brilliant long, curling cross from a set piece via Ronald Matarrita to finally give Cincinnati the much-needed victory and snap an 0-7-1 road rut dating back to September.

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Meanwhile, it's a potentially devastating result for Montreal, which dominated the first 65-plus minutes of the match, but was unable to hang on. After missing several key scoring opportunities in the first half, Montreal eventually came through in the 56th minute. Romell Quioto worked the ball into the box, got the Cincinnati back line out of whack and crossed to Djordje Mihailovic for the easy goal and a 1-0 lead.

However, Montreal's defense let up and allowed FC Cincinnati to regain some life. After initially defending a Cincinnati corner, Montreal was unable to clear the ball, which eventually found the head of Jurgen Locadia, who knocked it in to level the match in the 70th minute.

Following a feeling-out period of roughly 10 minutes, Montreal held the bulk of the first-half possession and recorded its first true scoring chance on Erik Hurtado's shot from the right side that was saved by Cincinnati goalkeeper Kenneth Vermeer at the 25-minute mark. Montreal followed 14 minutes later with a point-black header from Victor Wanyama that Vermeer easily saved.

Quioto then blew a golden opportunity in the waning minutes of the opening half via a two-on-one with Vermeer when his shot at an open net went stunningly wide of the near post.

Cincinnati's best first-half scoring chance came in the 43rd when it appeared the visitors had scored, but the play was whistled offside.