FC Cincinnati dropped a high-scoring contest to CF Montréal, 4-3, Saturday afternoon in front of 20,386 fans at TQL Stadium.
With the loss, the Orange and Blue drop to 2-4-0 (6 points) for the season. CFM improve to 1-3-1 (3 points).
Brandon Vazquez scored his fifth goal of the season in the 12th minute. A streaking Alvas Powell down the right side sent a cross into the box which Montréal goalkeeper Sebastian Breza deflected right to Vazquez arriving on the scene. Vazquez took a quick touch and found narrow space into the back of the net for his MLS-high fifth goal.
Djordje Mihailovic responded five minutes later with a goal, only for FCC to go back up again in the 20th minute. Vazquez again approached the goal down the right side and slotted a pass intended for Dominique Badji which was instead deflected by Montréal defender Alistair Johnston into the net for an own goal.
CFM’s Mihailovic secured a brace with a goal in the 41st minute, followed by a goal from Kei Kamara in first half stoppage time to give the visitors a 3-2 lead at halftime.
FC Cincinnati scored again in the 61st minute to equalize when Luciano Acosta converted a penalty kick. He is now 1-for-2 this season from the spot.
The level score would not last, as Joaquín Torres netted the winner for CF Montréal in the 67th minute for a 4-3 scoreline.
The Orange and Blue will take the field again Saturday, April 16 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium for a matchup with Atlanta United FC. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.
FC CINCINNATI MATCH REPORT
FC Cincinnati vs. CF Montréal
Date: April 2, 2022
Competition: MLS Regular Season
Venue: TQL Stadium
Attendance: 20,368
Kickoff: 4:08 p.m. ET
Weather: 54degrees, clear
SCORING SUMMARY: 1-2-F
CIN: 2-1-3
MTL: 3-1-4
CIN - Brandon Vazquez (unassisted) 12', Own Goal - Alistair Johnston 20', Luciano Acosta (PK) 61'
MTL - Djordje Mihailovic (Kamal Miller) 17', Djordje Mihailovic (Kei Kamara, Victor Wanyama) 41', Kei Kamara (Victor Wanyama) 45+1', Joaquin Torres (unassisted) 67'
GAME NOTES
- Brandon Vazquez’s goal extended his FCC career-goal lead to 11 … his five goals this season are atop MLS.
- FC Cincinnati are 8-for-12 all-time in MLS regular season games in converting penalty kicks … Luciano Acosta and the team are 1-for-2 this season.
- FCC’s 20th minute own goal received was the fifth in club history, the first since Nashville’s Dave Romney’s own goal on Oct. 27, 2021.
- FC Cincinnati scored three goals without any assists for the first time since Oct. 27, 2021 against Nashville, a 6-3 loss without any FCC assists.
- Geoff Cameron and Nick Hagglund each made their 150th career MLS regular season appearances Saturday … Hagglund along with Yuya Kubo each started their 50th regular season game with FC Cincinnati, the most in club history.
- Ray Gaddis returned to the Starting XI for the first time since March 5 against D.C. United … Gaddis has made 17 career appearances against CF Montréal, tied with New England Revolution for the most times he has faced any single opponent.
LINEUPS
CIN: Alec Kann, Ray Gaddis, Tyler Blackett, Geoff Cameron, Nick Hagglund (Brenner 61’), Alvas Powell (Álvaro Barreal 76’), Junior Moreno, Yuya Kubo (Haris Medunjanin 61’), Luciano Acosta (C), Brandon Vazquez (Nick Markanich 85’), Dominique Badji
Substitutes not used: Kenneth Vermeer, Zico Bailey, Isaac Atanga, Ian Murphy, Harrison Robledo
Head Coach: Pat Noonan
MTL: Sebastian Breza, Kamal Miller, Rudy Camacho, Joel Waterman, Alistair Johnston (Zachary Brault-Guillard 72’), Victor Wanyama (C), Djordje Mihailovic, Joaquin Torres (Matko Miljevic 68’), Lassi Lappalainen (Robert Thorkelsson 90+2’), Ismael Kone, Kei Kamara
Substitutes not used: Gabriele Corbo, Sunusi Ibrahim, Rida Zouhir, Zorhan Bassong, James Pantemis
Head Coach: Wilfried Nancy
STATS SUMMARY: CIN/MTL
Shots: 18 / 9
Shots on Goal: 7 / 6
Saves: 2 / 5
Corner Kicks: 9 / 2
Fouls: 13 / 10
Offside: 1 / 3
Possession: 42.2 / 57.8
MISCONDUCT SUMMARY
CIN - Ray Gaddis (caution) 24'
CIN - Alvas Powell (caution) 28'
MTL - Joel Waterman (caution) 70'
MTL - Sebastian Breza (caution) 88'
CIN - Tyler Blackett (caution) 90+1'
MTL - Victor Wanyama (caution) 90+4'
CIN - Luciano Acosta (caution) 90+4'
OFFICIALS
Referee: Tori Penso
Ast. Referees: Corey Rockwell, Ben Pilgrim
Fourth Official: Luis Arroyo
VAR: Jon Freemon
AVAR: Jonathan Johnson
POSTGAME QUOTES
FC Cincinnati Head Coach Pat Noonan
Opening Statement
“That was an inconsistent performance from the coach down through the players. Not a lot of us today did our job. I think we managed it really poorly and conceded goals in ways that, at this level, you just can't. So, a lot of things to fix. I think this was a game that's kind of indicative of where we're at and how far we have to go. We’ll try to use it as a learning tool to be more consistent in our performances and our game management specifically.”
On the team’s mentality
“These types of games, these types of moments are learning experiences for us as a group. But the messaging has to be that when we score a goal, we have to enjoy that moment, but then understand after that moment, what is it supposed to look like to maintain a lead and maintain momentum, not get too ahead of ourselves. And then when we concede [a goal], it's not the end of the world. Our mentality in reaction to those moments has to be better to understand how to not let a game get out of hand, or how to not let one negative moment affect the remainder of the game. Whether it's individually or collectively, we can manage scoring and conceding goals in a much better fashion.”
On Alvas Powell
“…What I expect is guys to work like Alvas worked tonight. The reason he had such an impact on the game is just sheer determination to work. And things didn't go well for him for the entirety of the time he was out there, but he's a great representation of what we want our players on this team to be about because he fights for everything to the point where he's now limping off the field because he gives everything he has. We need more of Alvas on the field with our group to have better performances and more consistent performances. He brought energy that some of our attackers did not tonight.”
FC Cincinnati midfielder Luciano Acosta
On the result
“We’re good on the road and we’re on a good path, but this is the process. It’s a lot of new for the entire team but, there’s a lot of games left in this season so, if we keep trying like we did today or the whole 90 minutes, we’re on a good path.”
FC Cincinnati midfielder Junior Moreno
On the result
“We still created chances and own our mistakes. We need to fix things like a team every day in the training and be a better team. Keep pushing like a team and go forward.”
FC Cincinnati's 2022 schedule can be viewed, HERE. Fans can get the best tickets at the best price to the best matches all season long by purchasing season tickets at fccincinnati.com/tickets or by calling 513-977-KICK, that’s 513-977-5425.
Fans can also purchase half-season ticket packages and single match tickets to any of FC Cincinnati’s remaining home games are available now.
FC Cincinnati is in their fourth season of MLS competition in 2022, and their second playing at TQL Stadium. For up-to-the-minute information about FC Cincinnati, visit the team’s official website at fccincinnati.com, or follow the team on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook at @FCCincinnati. Additionally, fans are encouraged to download the team’s official mobile app on the Apple App Store or Google Play for instant access to mobile tickets, team content and match notifications
