A new chapter in the Montreal-Toronto rivalry was written today. For the occasion and because he is suspended in MLS this week, Hassoun Camara was starting
at Right Back for FC Montreal. His presence was felt early on, the first three times MTL defense touched the ball, it was him saving a dangerous look on goal for TFC2 , blocking a open pass lane or clearing a dangerous aerial attempt on goal. Toronto were the first to open the score with a great FK into the box by Mo Babouli finished by Marcos Nunes. Set pieces were an issue all game long for the academy of the Montreal Impact. Toronto were controlling the pace of the game in the first half, making FC MTL chase them around and use their stamina to keep up with the speed of play.
Montreal's best chance came at around the 35th minute with a great Mallace style long ball to Victor N'Diaye who hit a great shot but hit the post. Phillipe Eullaffroy's team had their best chances of the games off long balls, even if it was not a directive by the coach, the players realised that Toronto were leaving too much space open between the centerbacks and decided to use it. Toronto FC2 were clearly the most experienced team of the two having played a full season in League One Ontario last year, winning the league title. That fact really had an impact on the result of game I believe, TFC2 were able to use that said experience on set pieces and it directly led to the first goal of the game.
Montreal were finding their marks in the second half. Finally getting used to the pace of the game, FC MTL had their best moments of the game between the 55' and 70' minutes. They were able to move forward and to create looks on goal, execution was the reason the ball did not go in and not creation. Even Hasoun Camara had a great run forward carrying the ball up until he was at the edge of the box and creating a good chance for one of his teammate. The team in blue were close to finding an equalizer when they got caught outnumbered on the counter, Fillion, FC MTL keeper save the first shot, but the return hit defender John Dinkota and went in for an own goal. 2-0 TFC2.
All and all, ToronTWo and Mo Babouli used what made them successful in League One to get their first win of their history in the USL. FC Montreal were improving their possession and control of the ball throughout the game, but the second goal on the counter killed any momentum they had trying to find that famous equalizer.
Quick Thoughts
-Louis Béland-Goyette made his debut for FC Montreal, coming in in the second half,
-A little more then 1000 spectators were present for this first USL game in Montreal,
-Alessandro Riggi who got subbed out in the second half against Ottawa after a hard tackle did start the game at LM
-Fabio Morelli, who is one of the standout of the academy lately, had difficulty finding space in the middle of the attacking midfield today,
-the Charleston Battery is the next opponent for FC Montreal
Phillippe Eullaffroy's Post Game comments
https://archive.org/download/PhillipeEullaffroyPostGame/Eullaffroy.mp3