CF Montréal Executes Gambit in Dramatic Draw with New York Red Bulls

Josef Martínez, in the role of George Clooney, led a Montreal’s version of Ocean’s Eleven that was particularly clumsy. CF Montréal pulled off a heist against the Red Bulls on Wednesday night, securing a valuable point after a 2-2 draw.

The Venezuelan scored both goals for CF Montréal in the second half, following a weather delay of nearly two hours during halftime. Without his clinical finishing, the spotlight would have been on another away defeat for a team that contributed to its own struggles.

The match was full of twists and turns, especially as the Montreal side emerged revitalized after a lackluster first half, with rain still pouring down as they exited the tunnels.

Trailing 1-0, CF Montréal emerged with renewed vigor. But it was the transformation in attack – Martínez replacing an invisible Cóccaro, Jules-Anthony Vilsaint coming on for the injured Mason Toye – that truly turned the tide.

“I was really pleased with the adjustments they made,” noted Laurent Courtois after the match. “Especially in engagement and intensity. With more connections, depth runs, and combined play from our forwards, we managed to create chances.”

These changes also allowed them to capitalize on the Red Bulls’ mistakes.

In the 67th minute, Martínez equalized with a deflected shot from a free-kick won by Mathieu Choinière, just outside the box. Choinière, along with Samuel Piette and Joel Waterman, returned to Courtois’ starting XI after their Copa América commitments.

A goal that seemed to invigorate the visitors and unsettle the hosts. However, it was Choinière who then committed what could have been catastrophic, scoring an own-goal from a needless corner conceded to the Red Bulls. New York then took a 2-1 lead in the 75th minute, and another away defeat loomed large.

But two minutes later, defender Sean Nealis gave Montréal hope. A push from Vilsaint saw him brought down in the box. Penalty, CFM. Red card, Nealis. Martínez calmly slotted home a beautiful goal with a curling shot.

Montreal did not stop there. They pushed on until the end of the match. Ruan even thought he had given his team the victory in the 96th minute, but it was instantly ruled out for offside.

“Josef and Jules’ fresh legs opened up the game for us,” confirmed Ariel Lassiter. “All the substitutes showed they can play. It’s very positive for our team.”

And to think that until the arrival of the new attackers around the hour mark, Montréal had not registered a single shot on target.

CF Montréal played a very poor first half, with a midfield that seemed disconnected from its porous defense and isolated attack. The team was guilty of numerous turnovers in its own half, a result of the Red Bulls’ high pressure, yes, but also of a lackluster, low-intensity play, and a series of technical errors.

At the 18th minute, this season’s pattern of slow starts cost them dearly. Wikelman Carmona, taking advantage of a poor Montreal pass, fired a good low shot from distance to make it 1-0.

“I felt we were starting to do some interesting things at the beginning,” submitted Courtois. “But when we needed to add some subtlety or intensity in our deep runs, we couldn’t do it in the first half. Later on, we managed to find more collective cohesion in the second.”

The remainder of the first half wasn’t any prettier. So much so that Montreal could consider themselves fortunate to go into halftime only a goal down.

The last 20 minutes of the match were more promising, indeed. And there is good to take from those two equalizers, especially considering it’s never easy to get a result against the Red Bulls.

But the concerning trend of poor starts by this team is becoming particularly alarming. Courtois doesn’t necessarily see it as a consistent pattern, though. He speaks more of his “tactical adjustments,” returning players, and “several factors.”

“I didn’t feel like much was missing,” he said, adding at another point that he was “proud of the guys tonight.”

For a coach who was “really disappointed” after the 1-0 home win last Saturday, Wednesday’s positivity is somewhat surprising. It must be said that Ocean’s Eleven is great entertainment, especially when you come out richer with hard-earned points in the standings.

Because, quietly, CF Montréal is back in the playoff picture, in 9th place with 27 points. And who sits in 8th place, with the same number of points?

Toronto FC. Who will be visiting Stade Saputo this Saturday.