HARRISON, N.J. – New York Red Bulls defeated CF Montreal on Saturday afternoon by a final score of 1-0 thanks to a second-half header by defender Noah Eile. The game was a tight affair with Montreal pressing late for an equalizer but Red Bulls’ defense holding strong for a rebound win after last week’s home loss to DC United.
New York avoided a slow start by controlling the ball and battling with Montreal in the midfield. While they didn’t create many chances early, they also didn’t give much away for a Canadian side that has struggled in front of goal. Winger Cameron Harper had two of the best chances in the first half, going in on goal one-on-one but putting his shot wide. Later in the half he had another chance inside the box but again wasn’t able to square the ball on goal.
The second half started much slower for New York but they still kept from making the mistakes that led to their demise one week earlier. Instead they moved the ball well on offense and pressed Montreal into a defensive shell. Their work paid off in the 67th minute when defender Omar Valencia delivered a corner kick to the head of Eile for the game’s opening goal.
Montreal did wake up from there and come close to an equalizer. Several times their first touch betrayed their efforts as New York’s defenders stepped in to challenge at the right moment. In the end, Red Bulls were able to hold on to a slim lead and push themselves above rivals NYCFC for sixth place temporarily as they away other results over the weekend.
Next up is a difficult road trip for New York as they travel to play Lionel Messi and Inter Miami next Saturday and then travel to Colorado for their first US Open Cup game in two seasons.
STARTING XI:
New York Red Bulls: Coronel; Duncan, S. Nealis, Eile, Valencia, Carballo, Stroud, Harper (78′ Gjengaar), Forsberg (83′ Parker), Carmona (90′ Edwards), Choupo-Moting (83′ Ngoma)
CF Montreal: Breza; Bugai, Campbell, Alvarez, Petrasso, Loturi (78′ Vilsaint), Clark (71′ Iankov), Piette (46′ Saliba), Sealy, Owusu (46′ Graham-Roache), Guboglo (58′ Pearce)
SCORING SUMMARY:
67′ (New York Red Bulls) Noah Eile (1) assisted by Omar Valencia
DISCIPLINE:
28′ (New York Red Bulls) Noah Eile – YELLOW CARD
55′ (CF Montreal) Nathan-Dylan Saliba – YELLOW CARD
85′ (New York Red Bulls) Omar Valencia – YELLOW CARD
87′ (New York Red Bulls) Serge Ngoma – YELLOW CARD
88′ (New York Red Bulls) Felipe Carballo – YELLOW CARD
