2019 Match Reports

FC Cincinnati triumphs in tough 1-0 victory over Montreal

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Though the game was ugly and rough for large stretches and extremely physical, especially in the second half, FC Cincinnati’s 1-0 victory at Montreal on Saturday was a big result.

 Photo credit: Jeremy Miller

“This is not for the beauty of the game,” said FC Cincinnati coach Ron Jans after Saturday’s 1-0 victory at the Montreal Impact at Stade Saputo. “This is for the result.”

Though the game was ugly and rough for large stretches and extremely physical, especially in the second half, the result was huge for the Orange and Blue. Without a win in nine games, the team snaps that streak before it hits double digits and has some new confidence and energy to play with in its final four games.

Cincinnati struck early with Allan Cruz netting his sixth goal for the club just 25 seconds in for his second goal this season scored in the opening minute. Cruz is now tied with Emmanuel Ledesma for goals scored this season.

With the early goal in hand, FCC had the luxury to sit back and absorb pressure and look for counter-attack opportunities. The game got very physical and referee Ramy Touchan let the game play, for the most part, leading to a lot of frustration from both sides, looking for calls that didn’t come. In the 39th minute, Montreal almost found an equalizer but Przemysław Tytoń came up big for the Orange and Blue and got a palm on the ball keeping Cincinnati in the lead.

The second half picked up immediately where the first half left off, with tempers and frustrations high, and a very physical, chippy game that continued to escalate. In the 48th minute, Montreal’s Orji Okwonkwo was shown yellow for stepping on Greg Garza’s ankle, in what looked like a serious injury for Cincinnati’s recently recovered left back. Fortunately, after evaluation from the trainer, Garza was able to continue. In the 66th minute, Montreal’s Rudy Camacho headed Cruz instead of the ball. Camacho was given a yellow card, and Cruz’s game was over as he was taken directly to the locker room for evaluation. In the 84th minute, Darren Mattocks was knocked down inside the box and had to be carried off the field. In the 87th minute, Kendall Waston was given a second yellow card and sent off leaving FCC to finish the game with only 10 men on the pitch.

All of the chaos and injuries of the second half resulted in 8 minutes of stoppage time that actually ended up being 10 minutes, but when the final whistle blew, the Queen City gave a collective sigh of relief, and  Jans, with a large grin, celebrated his first victory as head coach for Cincinnati. Even knowing Waston is unavailable for the next match and the Cruz and Mattocks may be injured and miss future games didn’t dampen the mood.

“It gives us a lot of confidence and we needed that,” Mathieu Deplagne said. “We’ve conceded a lot in the last games, so a clean sheet and a win on a team that’s trying to make the playoffs, that’s good. Now we have four games to finish the season in a positive way.”

By the Numbers:

  • Montreal took 17 shots. Cincinnati only eight.
  • Montreal made 25 crosses. Cincinnati only made six.
  • Cincinnati had less than 40% possession.
  • Cincinnati had less than 70% passing accuracy.
  • Montreal only had one shot on target. Cincinnati had three on target.
  • Tytoń only made one save during the game, but it was the only one he had to and it earned the team an extra two points for the day.
  • Only one stat matters in the end — goals scored.

Matchday 30
FC Cincinnati vs. Montreal Impact
Stade Saputo, Montreal
Attendance: 17,159
Result: Montreal Impact 0, FC Cincinnati 1

FC Cincinnati Starting XI:
Przemysław Tytoń (GK), Mathieu Deplagne, Maikel van der Werff, Kendall Waston, Greg Garza, Leonardo Bertone, Allan Cruz 70’, Frankie Amaya 89’, Joseph-Claude Gyau, Emmanuel Ledesma, Darren Mattocks 85’
Bench: Fatai Alashe, 20′, Corben Bone, Rashawn Dally 5′, Nick Hagglund 1′, Andrew Gutman, Jimmy Hague, Tommy McCabe

Montreal Impact Starting XI:
Evan Bush (GK), Bacary Sagna, Rudy Camacho, Jukka Raitala, Daniel Lovitz, Orji Okwonkwo 69’, Bojan 76’, Ignacio Piatti, Samuel Piette, Saphir Taïder, Maxi Urruti
Bench: Victor Cabrera, Jorge Corrales, Clément Diop, Lassi Lappalainen 14′, Shamit Shome, Ballou Tabla 21′

Scoring Summary:
CIN – 1′ Allan Cruz

Discipline:
MTL –  45′ Daniel Lovitz
MTL – 50′ Orji Okwonkwo
CIN – 60′ Kendall Waston
MTL – 68′ Rudy Camacho
CIN – 88′ Kendall Waston (ejection)

Next up:
Atlanta United FC, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nippert Stadium

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