Pellegrini scores scissor-kick goal as New York City FC edge CF Montreal

It took a highlight-reel scissor kick within the first half by New York City FC’s Matias Pellegrini to cease CF Montreal’s residence clear sheet and win streak at six video games on Saturday night time.

Pellegrini’s aim within the thirty third minute stood because the winner for New York (5-7-9) which claimed its first highway win of the Major League Soccer season with the 1-0 resolution.

“They came into this game with a very organized game plan and finding the spaces was very difficult, but I think we gave it our all,” mentioned Montreal head coach Hernan Losada. “I think we played better than in some games where we ended up winning. It just didn’t go our way (tonight).”

Montreal (8-10-2) had discovered success of their run by imposing themselves and dictating the tempo early on, however struggled to do this on Canada Day. The hosts conceded extra possession and didn’t press as excessive up the pitch, permitting New York extra time to arrange and play.

“They keep the ball really well and we struggled a bit to figure out our press. Our aggressiveness just wasn’t really there throughout the game,” mentioned Mason Toye.

One vital hole on the Montreal beginning roster within the final two video games has been the place of proper wing again. With Aaron Herrera and Zachary Brault-Guillard representing Guatemala and Canada respectively on the CONCACAF Gold Cup and each Mathieu Choinière and Lassi Lappalainen out with damage, there was no one left to play in that place naturally.

This means a usually incisive a part of Montreal’s offence was lacking, leaving attacking midfielder Sean Rea to be slotting into that place.

“Given that we were playing at home, we tried to play with wing backs that are wingers,” mentioned Losada. “It’s not their strength, so many times we were not in balance.”

Their timid begin was lastly punished on the half-hour mark when a cross from Braian Cufré discovered Pellegrini who launched the ball into the highest nook with a spectacular scissor kick.

Conceding first has been a kiss of dying for Montreal this season. It has occurred 12 instances, with the membership solely taking a lone draw from these video games and dropping the opposite 11 — 9 by shutout. It was a fair rarer phenomenon at residence as Montreal had gone 797 minutes with out conceding a aim throughout all competitions, courting again to their April 23 loss in opposition to D.C. United.

“I think we were chasing the game a lot of the time not just because we were losing, we just kept giving them the ball,” mentioned George Campbell. “We trust each other as teammates and this is a team effort so we take the result as a team.”

Looking to safe their first win in 12 video games in all competitions, NYCFC descended right into a low block, trying to sit behind the ball and suffocate Montreal’s midfield. For practically an hour, the strategy labored because the hosts have been restricted to low-percentage photographs from outdoors the penalty space.

“I think we still created chances; it was just the final pass that was missing tonight. Closing out our opportunities was kind of the issue,” mentioned Toye. “NYCFC knows how to move the ball around and keep the pace ticking (even while defending).”

Both groups will probably be again in motion in entrance of their residence crowds as New York returns to Citi Field and hosts Charlotte FC on July 5, whereas Montreal will welcome Atlanta United on July 8.