MONTREAL, Quebec (September 9, 2015)– New York Red Bulls II saw its four-match unbeaten streak snapped at Stade Saputo by FC Montreal, 2-0. Alessandro Riggi’s brace proved to be the difference on a night where New York was better collectively, but FC Montreal was better on the scoresheet.
The loss drops New York Red Bulls II to 12-9-6 on the season. New York maintains third place in the Eastern Conference, but could be bumped down to fourth place pending a Charleston Battery victory this weekend. Red Bulls II cannot qualify for the playoffs this weekend, although a Pittsburgh Riverhounds loss this weekend would improve NYRB II’s chances.
New York began the game on the right foot, pressing high and causing problems for Montreal’s defense. Although the chances were there, the finishing was not and there always seemed to be a Montreal defender in the way to block or deflect NYRB II’s shots.
New York nearly jumped ahead in the 37th minute when Marius Obekop lined up a free kick only a few feet outside of the penalty box. Obekop smashed a left-footed shot towards goal, but the attempt struck the wrong side of the post and bounced out.
Manolo Sanchez sent in cross after cross in the first half, but to no avail. Leo Stolz had an opportunity in the final stages of the half when Sanchez played him in, but his shot was fired just wide. New York outshot FC Montreal 6-3 in the half, and had the edge in corner kicks, 6-0.
New York earned three corner kicks in the opening three minutes of the second 45, but Montreal’s back line had an answer for each attempt. In the 76th minute, a cross from Stolz connected with Bolu Akinyode, who headed the ball towards net, but the shot hit the woodwork and the play was blown dead seconds later for a foul.
Finally in the 80th minute, FC Montreal punished New York on the counterattack. Louis Beland-Goyette played in Riggi, who took one touch and finished cleanly with his left-foot. Riggi struck again just seconds after the clock struck 90 minutes when Charles Joly sent in an almost identical cross to the first goal, and Riggi buried it on the volley to put the match out of reach.
New York Red Bulls II will play its final match of the USL regular season on Saturday, Sept. 19 at 7:05 p.m. ET on the road against the first-place Rochester Rhinos (WATCH: Live stream available on NewYorkRedBulls.com/Live).
Scoring Summary:
- MTL: Alessandro Riggi (Louis Beland-Goyette) 80’
- MTL: Alessandro Riggi (Charles Joly) 90+’
Discipline Summary:
- MTL: Louis Beland-Goyette, Caution 9’
- MTL: Yann-Alex Fillion, Caution 36’
- MTL: Samuel Duffek, Caution 90+’
Lineups:
NY: Santiago Castano, Shawn McLaws, Mike Da Fonte, Konrad Plewa, James Thomas (Colin Heffron, 72’), Bolu Akinyode, Speedy Williams, Leo Stolz (Victor Manosalvas, 79’), Manolo Sanchez (Daniel Bedoya, 66’), Stefano Bonomo (Franklin Castellanos, 85’), Marius Obekop (Chris Tsonis, 68’)
Subs not used: Rafael Diaz, Alex Clay
MTL: Yann-Alex Fillion, Zachary Sukunda, Hassoun Camara (Jonathan Grant, 46’), Mitchel Bringolf, Janouk Charbonneau, Fabrice Mbvouvouma (Philippe Lincourt-Joseph, 65’), Marco Dominguez, Fabio Morelli (Samuel Duffek, 72’), Louis Beland-Goyette (Nevello Yoseke, 86’), Alessandro Riggi, Jacque Haman (Charles Joly, 81’)
Subs not used: Luca Leone, Aron Mkungilwa
