Red Bulls topple CF Montreal on late goal by Fabio

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:02 am

Fabio scored a dramatic goal in the 91st minute and the New York Red Bulls temporarily moved into sixth place in the crowded Eastern Conference playoff race with a 1-0 victory over visiting CF Montreal on Saturday at Red Bull Arena in Harrison N.J.

Fabio's dramatic goal moved the Red Bulls (13-12-7, 46 points) ahead of Atlanta United. Atlanta has one fewer win than New York and was scheduled to host Toronto FC shortly after the Red Bulls secured the win.

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The winning sequence developed when Patryk Klimala stayed in bounds near the end line and eluded Montreal defender Kamal Miller.

Klimala passed the ball to Caden Clark, who headed the ball to Fabio. Fabio finished it off and touched off a celebration when he converted a header of his own into the bottom right corner of the net.

Fabio's dramatic goal capped a day when the Red Bulls had the better of the play in the second half. New York outshot Montreal 16-7 overall and 11-2 in the second half.

The goal also occurred seven minutes after Clark's shot off a Klimala header sailed high over the net. New York secured the win when it cleared the corner kick by Montreal's Joaquin Torres.

Fabio's goal also came after Cristian Cásseres Jr. had a clear path to the right side of the net but had his shot clang off the right post in the 67th minute.

New York Red Bulls players celebrate their victory over Montreal.
Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

New York improved to 7-1-2 in its past 10 games and will finish up with a home game against Atlanta on Wednesday and a visit to FC Nashville next Sunday.

Montreal (11-11-10, 43 points) dropped three points out of the final playoff spot and one point behind eighth-place D.C. United. Montreal also dropped to 3-3-4 in its past 10 matches and did not get its first shot of the second half until Mathieu Choiniere shot high in the 79th minute.

New York goalkeeper Carlos Coronel posted his 12th clean sheet and his only save was on a breakaway by Sunusi Ibrahaim in the eighth minute.

Montreal goalkeeper Sebastian Breza finished with four saves.