BETHLEHEM, Pennsylvania – FC Montreal lost to Bethlehem Steel FC 2-1 after two penalties were given in the second half on Sunday, at Goodman Stadium.
FC Montreal scored first when Janouk Charbonneau found David Choinière on a counter. The midfielder dribbled from the left flank to the front of the box before taking a shot that flew into the top right corner in the 26th minute.
A few minutes later, James Chambers attempted to tie the game with a volleyed shot in the box, but it went wide.
Back from the locker room, Steel FC applied a lot of pressure and had a couple of chances in the box, but was not able to put a shot on the net.
Later on, they took advantage of two penalty kicks to get back in the game and take the lead for good. Ryan Richter scored on the first one in the 77th minute and Derrick Jones on the second one in the 84th.
In stoppage time, defender Thomas Meilleur-Giguère got a header on goal, but goalkeeper Matt Jones made the save.
“I’m happy with my first goal, but the team is more important today,” said midfielder David Choinière. “We had a good first half with our chances. We were under a lot of pressure in the second half and had problems getting out of it.”
“It was harder in the second half as we were facing a more experienced team,” said head coach Philippe Eullaffroy. “We were not successful on certain situations. The positive is that we are getting closer to controlling the entirety of a game, and we are more dangerous in the last 25 metres.”
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 starting at 2pm, and admission will be free for Impact season ticket holders on presentation of their membership card. Doors will open at 2:15pm.
LINEUPS
FC Montreal: James Pantemis; Simon Lemire (Zachary Sukunda 88’), Kyle Fisher, Thomas Meilleur-Giguère, Janouk Charbonneau; Marco Dominguez (Heikel Jarras 88’), Mastanabal Kacher (Nevello Yoseke 78’), Alessandro Riggi (Philippe Lincourt-Joseph 60’), Ballou Jean-Yves Tabla, David Choinière; Fabio Morelli
Subs not used: David Paulmin, Jems Geffrard
MLS players
Bethlehem Steel FC: Matt Jones; Taylor Washington, Auston Trusty, Michael Daly, Ryan Richter; Boluwatife Akinyode (Raheem Taylor Parkes 73), Derrick Jones, James Chambers; Leo Fernandes (Fred 90’), Cole Missimo (Gabriel Gissie 67’), Seku Conneh
Subs not used: Samir Badr, Nick Bibbs, Jamie Luchini, Cory Burke
GOALS
MTL: David Choinière (Janouk Charbonneau) 26’
BST: Ryan Richter 77’ (PK)
BST: Derrick Jones 84’ (PK)
CAUTIONS
MTL: Simon Lemire 40’
MTL: Ballou Jean-Yves Tabla 54’
MTL: Kyle Fisher 83’
