MELBOURNE, Florida – FC Montreal lost 1-0 against Orlando City B despite dominating in shots and possession Sunday night, at Titan Soccer Complex.
Orlando scored early in the game. On a cross from the right flank by Tyler Turner, Lewis Neal sent the ball in the box to Michael Cox with his head. Cox beat goalkeeper James Pantemis on a header in the 9th minute.
The team from Florida lacked discipline afterwards, and Devron Garcia was shown the red card in the 18th minute for tripping forward Charles Joly in front of the box.
A few minutes later, midfielder David Choinière dribbled in the box before passing to winger Ballou Jean-Yves Tabla at the penalty spot, but his shot missed the net.
FC Montreal controlled the ball for the majority of the second half, but didn’t find the back of the net. Forward Charles Joly tried his luck in the 79th minute, dribbling in the box before taking a powerful shot on target, but goalkeeper Mark Ridgers dived to make the save.
“I think that, physically and tactically, we were good, but technically, we were average trying to beat a 10-man wall in the box,” said FC Montreal head coach Philippe Eullaffroy. “You need to be more precise technically, and we weren’t. It seems obvious when playing 11 against 10 to say they didn’t get many opportunities, but I feel that, defensively, we were good. We lacked technical quality in the final third.”
“We created chances, but didn’t capitalize on them,” said winger Alessandro Riggi. “We lacked finishing in front of the net. We had crosses, shots, overlaps, but we didn’t score. It’s frustrating because we worked on this in training. We need to build on this and put the ball in the net.”
Goalkeeper James Pantemis, who made his first start in the USL, made many key saves throughout the game.
FC Montreal’s next game will be on Saturday, May 7, at 7pm, as the team continues its five consecutive road games against the Charlotte Independence, at Ramblewood Soccer Complex.
LINEUPS
FC Montreal: James Pantemis; Janouk Charbonneau (Fabio Morelli 76’), Thomas Meilleur-Giguère, JemsGeffrard, Aron Mkungilwa; Louis Béland-Goyette (Mastanabal Kacher 75’), Marco Dominguez (NevelloYoseke 60’), Ballou Jean-Yves Tabla (Philippe Lincourt-Joseph 83’), David Choinière (Heikel Jarras 64’), Alessandro Riggi; Charles Joly
Subs not used: Luca Leone
Orlando City B: Mark Ridgers; Tyler Turner, Conor Donovan, Devron Garcia, Mikey Ambrose; Richmond Laryea (Jonathan Mendoza 39’), Harrison Heath, Tony Rocha (Kyle Callan-McFadden 22’), Lewis Neal; Bryan Rochez (Andrew Ribeiro 46’), Michael Cox (William Eyang 78’)
Subs not used: Jake Fenalson, Marius Obekop, Keegan Smith
GOAL
OCB: Michael Cox 9’
CAUTIONS
OCB: Michael Cox 4’
FCMTL: Alessandro Riggi 15’
FCMTL: Marco Dominguez 54’
FCMTL: Janouk Charbonneau 66’
EJECTION
OCB: Devron Garcia 18’
