The reigning MLS Cup champions New York City FCThey took another step in defending their title by scoring on their first two shots to beat CF Montreal 3-1 at Stade Saputo in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
NYCFC third seed will be playing at the top seed Philadelphia UnionNext Sunday’s Eastern Conference final. The contest is a rematch the 2021 conference semifinal. New YorkBefore defeating the, win at the COVID-19-wracked Union Portland TimbersIn penalties to win MLS Cup
Montreal beat New York by a lot in the first half. However, the visitors scored on their two first shots and received some excellent saves from New York’s goalkeeper. Sean Johnsonto lead by 2-0 at the break
In the sixth minute, NYCFC’s Captain Maxi Moralez scored a 1-0 victory. Midfielder Santi Rodríguez and winger Gabriel Pereira combined nicely in the right side of Montreal’s penalty area, with Pereira eventually rounding a defender and cutting a ball into the center of the box. The goalkeeper was rushing to his aid. James Pantemis couldn’t get his hands on the cross, which Moralez latched onto at the top of the 6-yard box and calmly smashed past a trio of Montreal defenders into the roof of the net.
🗣️ MAXI MORALEZ
His second goal in the postseason is the opening of scoring in Montreal #NYCFC#MTLvNYC// Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/bUFY4d1vHB
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 23, 2022
Montreal showed great resilience after falling behind and almost equalized on many occasions in the first period. Johnson denied striker Kei KamaraDrew Fischer made a great diving save in 10 minutes. Kamara took a shot at the post in 16th and then he turned back. Joel WatermanAn apparent goal was disallowed in the 17th.
Johnson made another great stop in the 32nd. Johnson dived to his left to block a free header by a midfielder Ismaël KonéFollowing a cross from Alistair Johnston. NYCFC dodged yet another bullet in the 40th. Anton Tinnerholm slid to block a close-range shot from Kamara after yet another cross from Johnston, who was involved in all of Montreal’s best moves of the opening 45.
New York capitalized on Montreal’s push for so many numbers forward, scoring via counterattack in the first-half of stoppage time. Rodríguez broke the initial pressure, found an outlet in Moralez, then continued his run forward, eventually picking up a return pass and crossing to Héber. The Brazilian striker darted in between two Montreal defenders, and redirected it inside the farpost with a clever right-footed shot. NYCFC was now leading 2-0 at the half.
It was a great time from Santiago Rodriguez to Heber. #NYCFCIt takes a 2-0 advantage.#MTLvNYC// Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/bh7TgOvRJw
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 23, 2022
City scored a third goal in the 61st minutes to effectively end the game. Substitute Talles Magno took the ball off Waterman in Montreal’s defensive third and quickly played a through ball into the area for Pereira, who ran onto the pass and was immediately fouled by a sliding Pantemis for a clear penalty. Magno converted with ease the spot kick.
Montreal midfielder Djordje MihailovicYou are now heading in the right direction Zachary Brault GuillardThe goal was scored in the 85th minute. However, it was a comfortable 30 minutes for NYCFC.
New York’s run to the East final is especially impressive considering the significant amount of turnover the club endured in the middle of this season. NYCFC lost their coach Ronny Dela in June as he moved to Standard Liege in Belgium. In July, they loaned star striker Taty Castlelanos to Girona in Spain. Although things were difficult at times under interim manager Nick Cushing New York managed to pull through, eventually winning the final three matches of the regular season before defeating Miami and Montreal in their postseason match. They’ve outscored their opponents 12-3 in their ongoing five-game winning streak.
It’s a disappointing way to end what was an extremely positive year in Montreal. The Quebec team was ranked at the bottom of the league for payroll. Coach Wilfried Nancy turned them into one of most attractive, dynamic and successful teams in Quebec. MLS. Although 2022 was a great season overall, there are major questions for the club heading into this winter. The guaranteed portion of Nancy’s contract will expire at the end of the year (the club holds an option on him for 2023), Mihailovic will move to Dutch club AZ Alkmaar in January, influential midfielder Victor Wanyama will not return following the expiration of his contract and Johnston and Koné are both candidates to be sold abroad in January. They were very good in 2022, but they’ll need to reload if they want to build on their promising campaign in 2023.
(Photo by Andrew Katsampes/ ISI Photos/ Getty Images
