Boxscore
MONTREAL, Quebec – Sean Okoli recorded his second brace against FC Montreal this year as FC Cincinnati recorded a 2-0 shutout, Wed. afternoon at Complexe Sportif Claude-Robillard.
Okoli notched his 10th goal and gave FCC a 1-0 lead in the 33rd minute. The play was initiated by Jimmy McLaughlin, who came down the left flank, switched the field, and sent a ball into the box for Andrew Wiedeman on the right side. Wiedeman carried the ball towards the end-line and slipped the ball under the diving David Paulmin to the oncoming Okoli for the shot into the open net.
In the 70th minute, it was McLaughlin again who sparked the run, going to the right side of the field with a clean pass to an unmarked Omar Cummings. Cummings, reading the FC Montreal defense, touched the ball to Okoli and the forward shot the ball past Paulmin to complete the scoring.
FCC created several chances in the first half despite being edged in shots 9-7. An attempt by Okoli in the 10th minute was snagged out of the air by Paulmin. In the 29th minute, Cummings’ pressure in the midfield caused an FC Montreal turnover and led to a 1-on-1 opportunity for McLaughlin but his shot flew wide. Cummings continued to be a spark for FCC as the Jamaican national looked to connect with Okoli in the 40th minute, placing a ball neatly at the end of Okoli’s run. However, Okoli, shielded by an FC Montreal defender was unable to get a clean shot off and saw the effort fall drift out of bounds.
FC Montreal saw their opportunities in the first period after FCC was called for a pair of handballs. Mastanabal Kacher took both attempts in the 16th and 27th minutes but was unable to put the ball on target, sending the ball high in his initial attempt and then seeing his effort blocked by the FCC defense. In the 36th minute, Phillipe Lincourt-Joseph blistered a shot that was knocked down by Mitch Hildebrandt for his lone save of the match.
FCC controlled much of the second half, out-shooting their hosts 10-2. McLaughlin, looking for his sixth goal of the year, nearly scored in the 69th minute. Slipping in behind the FC Montreal defense, McLaughlin collected a long pass from Pat McMahon. Cutting in quickly towards the goal, McLaughlin fired off a shot but the ball hit the post and bounced out.
In the72nd minute, McLaughlin found himself in a 1-on-1 opportunity against Brandon Onkony and beat the defender to the right to get the shot off but his attempt was stifled by Paulmin.
FCC logged 17 total shots with Okoli taking a match-high nine, including four shots on goal. Hildebrandt was credited with a save while Paulmin had five saves for FC Montreal.
FCC will be idle until Aug. 13 when the club travels to Richmond Kickers for a 7:00 p.m. contest.
