As every New York Red Bulls fan probably knows, Stade Saputo is a perpetual house of horrors for those who dare to enter their doors. Sandro Schwartz and his men faced a tough task: Getting points north of the border while keeping pace with the top teams of the Eastern Conference.
Despite being held scoreless in their last two matches, the team was looking to get some goals in the net to jump-start their stalled attack. The good news for New York is that Club De Foot Montreal has allowed 35 goals this season, the most out of all the teams in the Eastern Conference and third worst in the entire league.
However, Laurent Courtois’s side is now unbeaten in their last four matches (W1 D3) in all competitions for the first time since a six-match winning streak between April and May last year. But even with just two wins at home after seven matches, they remain a troublesome side on their home turf.
While the Red Bulls were wondering where the goals were coming from, Montreal had no such problems early on in the match. After a free kick was conceded by John Tolkin in the 9th minute, the home side struck just two minutes later via a set piece and thanks to clumsy defending by New York, allowing the ball to be headed around before Sunusi Ibrahim easily tapped the ball in the back of the net.
Red Bulls nearly responded three minutes later as Noah Eile attempted to hook up with Dante Vaneir, but his shot sailed high over the box, nullifying the attack for the visitors.
Montreal bounced right back a minute later as Kwadwo Opoku found himself open to take the shot to double the lead, but thankfully, Ryan Meara was there to make the easy save.
Red Bulls had a glimpse of a chance in the 33rd minute as Dante Vanzier delivered a nifty pass over to Cameron Harper in the six-yard box, but the Montreal keeper Jonathan Sirois was there with the timely save.
But Montreal was able to double the lead in the 40th minute. Raheem Edwards delivered a terrific through ball over to an onrushing Kwadwo Opoku on the break, and he did the rest, taking the pass and dancing around both Tolkin and Eile, then slotted the ball past a helpless Meara as the home supported roared in delight.
As the whistle blew, ending the first half, it would be the home side enjoying the two-goal lead, and the Red Bulls trudged into the tunnel searching for answers just as they were searching for goals in this match.
In the 59th minute, New York started to move to get back into the match. And it nearly paid off. Sean Nelais would have gotten the Red Bulls on the scoreboard without the heroic efforts of Sunusi Ibrahim, who made an acrobatic clearance to keep the Red Bulls scoreless.
But in the 61st minute, the Red Bulls received a lifeline. Effectively pressing the ball caused a turnover in Montreal’s defensive end. Manoel picked up the ball and darted towards the goal. Sirois saved his initial shot but could not hold the ball as it bounced free. But Wiki Carmona followed the play, picked up the loose ball, and roofed it to the net.
Red Bulls were able to equalize in the 88th minute. After Montreal conceded a corner kick by Lassi Lappalainen, John Tolkin delivered a hanging ball that floated just enough for Noah Eile to glance the ball with his head over to Cory Burke, who kept it in play for Julain Hall just coming off the bench, alertly headed the ball for his first goal in his MLS career.
Red Bulls, with all of the momentum, punched for the match-winner but could not get any further as the final whistle blew, leaving the home side and their fans in a frustrated mood. After running in front with a two-goal lead, they succumbed to a draw, which has been the theme all season long at Stade Saputo. The Red Bulls earned a draw on the road to keep pace with the leaders of the Eastern Conference but have very little time to celebrate as Toronto FC comes to Harrison in two days.
Starting XI:
Club De Foot Montreal: Jonathan Sirois, Gabriele Corbo, Fernando Alvarez, Joaquin Sosa, Ruan, Nathan Saliba (Nathan Saliba 72′), Bryce Duke, Raheem Edwards (Lassi Lappalainen 74′), Kwadwo Opoku (Dominik Yankov 46′), Sunusi Ibrhaim (Josef Martinez 61′), Mason Toye (Matias Coccaro 46′)
New York Red Bulls: Ryan Meara, Dylan Nealis, Sean Nealis, Noah Eile, John Tolkin, Wiki Carmona, Daniel Edelman, Cameron Harper, Ronald Donkor (Frankie Amaya 65′), Elias Manoel (Cory Burke 66′), Dante Vanzeir
Scoring Summary:
11′ – Club De Foot Montreal – Sunusi Ibrahim, unassisted
40′ – Club De Foot Montreal – Kwadwo Opoku, assisted by Raheem Edwards
61′ – New York Red Bulls – Wiki Carmona, unassisted
88′ – New York Red Bulls – Julian Hall, assisted by Cory Burke
Disciplinary Summary:
22′ – Club De Foot Montreal – Nathan Saliba – Yellow card
52′ – New York Red Bulls – Camron Harper – Yellow card
76′ – New York Red Bulls – Noah Eile – Yellow card
86′ – Club De Foot Montreal – Joaquin Sosa – Yellow card
Final Thoughts:
Julian Hall joins Jozy Altidore and Eddie Gaven as the youngest Red Bulls player to score a goal in his first MLS match. His goal will be the match’s highlight, but he wasn’t the only member of the junior squad to make his debut. Ronald Donkor made his first appearance in the starting lineup and did well throughout the match, steadying the ship before being subbed by Frankie Amaya.