Red Bull New York went into Montreal looking to avenge their early season loss but found the same result as CF Montreal wins 4-1 on Saturday afternoon. Many of the issues that the club has faced in recent weeks were on display as the defense had a difficult time playing with the ball and allowing too much space to a Montreal team that has dangerous players despite their current record.
Prince Owusu was particularly dangerous as he was a part of three the opposition’s four goals. The earliest came just five minutes in after a defensive lapse that saw Owusu play the ball to Victor Loturi for his first goal in 2026. From there the mental mistakes continued as Montreal found moment after moment to attack on the counter attack. The second goal came in the 39th minute when defender Dylan Nealis gave up a penalty off of a hand ball. Owusu converted, sending New York into halftime looking for answers.
Head coach Michael Bradley made major changes to start the second half, including pulling Jorge Ruvalcaba and Cade Cowell. The changes did little to fix the issues as spells of possession led to few opportunities and the defensive giveaways continued. Matty Longstaff made the game 3-0 during one of those transitions, effectively confirming the result. Red Bull did score an own goal to make the scoreline somewhat close but Montreal substitute Kwadwo Opoku finished the game off in the 77th minute.
This season Montreal only has two wins and both are against Red Bull New York. The season series ends disappointingly for Bradley and his team as they look for answers against a team that has major problems to start 2026. It is a particularly frustrating result as New York were able to draw Inter Miami last week and defeat FC Cincinnati the week prior.
Now Red Bull will have to rebound for a turnaround against DC United on Wednesday. It is another game against a team that is considered to not be a playoff team. For New York to return to their playoff glory, wins against teams such as DC and Montreal will be paramount in regaining their stature in the Eastern Conference.
STARTING XI:
Red Bull New York: Horvath; Marshall-Rutty (46′ Mina), Nealis, Voloder, Dos Santos, Donkor, Mehmeti (65′ Benedetti), Forsberg (80′ Choupo-Moting), Ruvalcaba (46′ Sofo), Hall, Cowell (46′ Mosquera)
CF Montreal: Gillier; Bugaj, Neal, Vera, Petrasso, Loturi, Piette (78′ Escobar), Longstaff, Streit (58′ Opoku), Owusu (83′ Rios), Jaime (78′ Herbers)
SCORING SUMMARY:
5′ (CF Montreal) Victor Loturi (1) assisted by Prince Owusu
39′ (CF Montreal) Prince Owusu (5) – penalty kick
49′ (CF Montreal) Matty Longstaff (1) assisted by Prince Owusu & Noah Streit
53′ (Red Bull New York) Matty Longstaff – own goal
77′ (CF Montreal) Kwadwo Opoku (1) assisted by Prince Owusu
DISCIPLINE:
34′ (Red Bull New York) Adri Mehmeti – YELLOW CARD
43′ (Red Bull New York) Jorge Ruvalcaba – YELLOW CARD
71′ (CF Montreal) Brayan Vera – YELLOW CARD
75′ (CF Montreal) Thomas Gillier – YELLOW CARD
89′ (CF Montreal) Matty Longstaff – YELLOW CARD
photo by Matt Kremkau