CF Montreal slip past NYCFC to keep unbeaten streak alive

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:05 am

CF Montreal rallied to earn their second consecutive win and extend their unbeaten streak to five games with a 2-1 victory against New York City FC in Orlando on Wednesday.

Romell Quioto's 73rd-minute goal broke a 1-1 tie and proved the winner for Montreal (5-3-4, 19 points).

NYCFC (5-4-2, 17 points) jumped in from onto a Keaton Parks goal in the 29th minute, but CF Montreal pulled level on a Mason Toye penalty kick in the 43rd minute.

It was only the second time New York City has lost to Montreal in 13 matches all-time (7-2-4).

Montreal had the early jump in this one and thought they had a quick strike when Quioto's right-wing shot found the back of the net in the first minute. However, the play was ruled offside.

Quioto again got behind the New York defense in the 13th minute, taking a Rudy Camacho feed to the goalmouth before he was denied by goalkeeper Luis Barraza.

The visitors started to find their legs as the half progressed, spending more time in the attacking third but unable to beat goalkeeper James Pantemis. In the 15th minute, he came far out of his net to smother a loose ball before New York could get a foot on it, and in the 25th minute, a Maximiliano Moralez attempt was stopped by Pantemis.

New York finally broke through in the 29th minute. Forward Ismael Tajouri-Shradi evaded Montreal defender Zorhan Bassong down low before spotting Parks at the top of the box to make it 1-0.

It was the first time since the season opener that Montreal allowed a goal in the first half.

Toye tied it after Djordje Mihailovic was fouled by Sebastien Ibeagha in the penalty area. Toye faked out Barraza into diving to the right, then curled and aimed into an open left side of the net.

On Quioto's decisive goal, Barraza came far out of the net to play the ball but Quioto got his foot on it first. Quioto rolled it past the goalie from the right edge into the wide0open cage.

New York City midfielder Santiago Rodriguez missed the match due to MLS health and safety protocols.