CHARLOTTE, North Carolina – FC Montreal lost 1-0 Saturday night against the Charlotte Independence at the Ramblewood Soccer Complex.
The Independence took the lead in the 10th minute. On a free kick from the left flank, Enzo Martinez found Caleb Calvert in the box. Calvert beat Maxime Crépeau with a header.
Charlotte had missed a chance a few minutes earlier, as Martinez shot a penalty kick on the crossbar.
In the 31st minute, David Choinière ran down the left side before passing to Louis Béland-Goyette in the box, but his shot went over the net.
In the second half, Maxime Crépeau made an important save on Caleb Calvert, preventing Charlotte from doubling its lead.
In the dying moments, David Choinière took a shot from 20 metres, but goalkeeper Cody Mizell saved it.
The Independence held on to its lead and won a fourth consecutive game.
“Globally, it was better technically, and we had more animation in the last third,” said FC Montreal’s head coach Philippe Eullaffroy. “We lack the efficiency that will help us put the ball in the back of the net. It’s disappointing, because in this game, we can’t blame the players too much since they gave everything and applied the game plan correctly. The players are more assertive. We played at the home of the team in third position.”
“Collectively, we’ve been improving every game,” said midfielder Louis Béland-Goyette. “Again, it’s all about finishing in the last third. I think we’ll manage to find our reflexes.”
FC Montreal will end its series of five road games against Bethlehem Steel FC at Goodman Stadium on Sunday, May 15, at 4pm EDT.
FC Montreal will play its first game at Complexe sportif Claude-Robillard on Saturday, May 21, at 3pm, against New York Red Bulls II. Tickets will be available for $5 at 2pm, and admission will be free for Impact season ticket holders. Doors will open at 2:15pm.
LINEUPS
FC Montréal: Maxime Crépeau; Janouk Charbonneau, Kyle Fisher, Thomas Meilleur-Giguère, Nevello Yoseke (Simon Lemire 71’); Marco Dominguez (Heikel Jarras 79’), Louis Béland-Goyette, Alessandro Riggi (Philippe Lincourt-Joseph 88’), David Choinière, Ballou Jean-Yves Tabla; Charles Joly (Fabio Morelli 84’)
Subs not used: Luca Leone, Jems Geffrard, Mastanabal Kacher
*MLS players
Independence: Cody Mizell; Bilal Duckett, Patrick Slogic, Joel Johnson, Henry Kalungi; Jun Marques Davidson, Yann Ekra, Enzo Martinez (Jorge Herrera 70’); Caleb Calvert (Zach Pfeffer 65’), Brian Brown, David Estrada (Lewis Hilton 90’)
Subs not used: Kyle Renfro, Jack Metcalf, Alec Bartlett, Norberto Ochoa
GOALS
CLT: Caleb Calvert 10’
CAUTIONS
CLT: Patrick Slogic 51’
CLT: Yann Ekra 89’
