MONTREAL – FC Montreal came from behind in the last minutes of the game and won 3-2 against Bethlehem Steel FC on Sunday afternoon at the Claude-Robillard Sports Complex.
Anthony Jackson-Hamel scored for a third straight game in the USL, while defenders Aron Mkungilwa and Thomas Meilleur-Giguère scored the other two goals for FC Montreal. Jamie Chambers and Cory Burke tallied for the visitors.
The Bleu-blanc-noir scored first. On an accurate deep pass by Mkungilwa, Jackson-Hamel ran alone in the box and dribbled past goalkeeper Samir Badr before pushing the ball in the back of the net.
The Steel replied with a goal in the 40th minute when midfielder Jamie Chambers took a 25-metre free kick and shot with strength in the lower right corner of the net.
Back from the locker rooms, the visitors immediately took the lead. On a cross from the left flank partially blocked by goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau, Cory Burke buried the rebound into the net to score in the 50th minute.
After more than 10 minutes when Bethlehem threatened offensively while always finding Crépeau on their way, FC Montreal started to dominate again.
In the 80th minute, winger Ballou Jean-Yves Tabla crossed in the box for Meilleur-Giguère, who cushioned the ball before taking a low shot to score his first professional goal.
Not satisfied with a tie, players pushed for the three points in the last minutes. On a 90th-minute counterattack, Philippe Lincourt-Joseph passed to an onrushing Mkungilwa on the left. The defender entered the box and shot over Badr who had gone to ground.
“When you have a bit more confidence, it helps to go through the tougher moments,” said head coach Philippe Eullaffroy. “It also enhances the attitude of the players who never stopped. They believe and play until the end and are rewarded. We saw interesting values coming out of them. It’s also interesting to see two defenders score.”
“It felt good to score,” said defender Thomas Meilleur-Giguère. “I’ve had chances this season, so I think it will bring me confidence for the next one. Having Maxime behind us, it also gives us confidence, and it’s always good to have the chance to play with him.”
FC Montreal will play its next game on Sunday, August 28, at 4pm against Toronto FC II at the Ontario Soccer Centre.
LINEUPS
FC Montreal: Maxime Crépeau; Aron Mkungilwa, Thomas Meilleur-Giguère, Kyle Fisher, Janouk Charbonneau; Jérémy Gagnon-Laparé, Marco Dominguez (Mastanabal Kacher 53’), Louis Béland-Goyette (Nevello Yoseke 92’), Ballou Jean-Yves Tabla, Alessandro Riggi (Philippe Lincourt-Joseph 73’); Anthony Jackson-Hamel (Heikel Jarras 46’)
Subs not used: David Paulmin, Jems Geffrard, Zachary Sukunda
*MLS players
Bethlehem Steel FC: Samir Badr; Ryan Richter, Anderson Conceicao, Auston Trusty, Taylor Washington; Derrick Jones, James Chambers, Eric Ayuk; Leo Fernandes, Joshua Heard, Cory Burke (Seku Conneh 66’)
Subs not used: Matt Perrella, Nick Bibbs, Jamie Luchini, Helbert Carriera Da Silva, Amoy Brown, Justin McMaster
GOALS
MTL: Anthony Jackson-Hamel 32’
BST: James Chambers 40’
BST: Cory Burke 50’
MTL: Thomas Meilleur-Giguère 80’
MTL: Aron Mkungilwa 90’
CAUTIONS
MTL: Anthony Jackson-Hamel 2’
MTL: Marco Dominguez 39’
BST: James Chambers 63’
