MONTREAL – FC Montreal lost 1-0 on a goal scored by Red Bulls II in the dying minutes of the game, Saturday afternoon at Claude-Robillard Sports Complex.
On a cross from the left flank, forward Junior Flemmings scored on a header, beating goalkeeper Eric Kronberg.
FC Montreal had the best chances in the first half. In the 4th minute, Fabio Morelli crossed the ball to Philippe Lincourt-Joseph in the box. He attempted a bicycle kick, but goalkeeper Ryan Meara made the save.
In the 28th minute, Kronberg came out of his box to stop Derrick Etienne who was running at the Montreal goal all alone.
Just before halftime, Zachary Sukunda crossed the ball in the box for Aron Mkungilwa, who controlled the ball before shooting, but his shot went over the net.
After the goal in the 90th minute, FC Montreal pushed to level the game, but wasn’t able to score.
“There are things we need to improve,” said head coach Philippe Eullaffroy. “When we’re under pressure, we need to get out of this situation. We got punished because we didn’t punish them. We pay for our lack of maturity for now, but that will also benefit us later.”
“I think results will come, like last year,” said midfielder Louis Béland-Goyette. “We’ll develop those reflexes. Players who played out of position today did really well. We saw Janouk as a centre back and Marco as a right back, but they were positive points of the game. We were in a tough spot with some players travelling, but everyone gave everything that they had.”
It was the first ever game for FC Montreal at Claude-Robillard Sports Complex. The team will play its next game on Saturday, May 28, at 7pm EDT against the Richmond Kickers at City Stadium. The next home game will be played on Saturday, June 4, at 3pm EDT, against the Rochester Rhinos.
LINEUPS
FC Montreal: Eric Kronberg; Zachary Sukunda (David Choinière 57’), Janouk Charbonneau, Jems Geffrard, Marco Dominguez; Louis Béland-Goyette, Nevello Yoseke (Fabrice Mbvouvouma 72’), Aron Mkungilwa, Philippe Lincourt-Joseph (Ballou Jean-Yves Tabla 57’), Simon Lemire (Charles Joly 57’); Fabio Morelli (Alessandro Riggi 79’)
Subs not used: David Paulmin, Thomas Meilleur-Giguère
MLS player
Red Bulls II: Ryan Meara; Justin Bilyeu (David Najem 90’), Aaron Long, Zach Carroll, Konrad Plewa; Devon Williams, Derrick Etienne, Tyler Adams, Noah Powder; Junior Flemmings, Stefano Bonomo
Subs not used: Rafael Diaz, Tim Schmoll, Cheikh Mbaye, Dan Metzger, Brandon Allen
GOALS
NY: Junior Flemmings 90’
CAUTIONS
NY: Junior Flemmings 36’
NY: Stefano Bonomo 54’
