MONTREAL – Despite controlling the play on the field, FC Montreal lost 1-0 against the Charlotte Independence this Saturday afternoon at the Claude-Robillard Sports Complex.
The Independence took advantage of a counterattack to score the only goal of the game, minutes into the second half. Caleb Calvert found Enzo Martinez unmarked in the box, and Martinez took a low shot on the left side of the net on his first touch to score in the 49th minute.
FC Montreal had the edge in the first half. In the ninth minute, Philippe Lincourt-Joseph passed to David Choinière on the left flank. The winger cut inside before taking a shot that barely missed the net.
Goalkeeper David Paulmin also had to make strong saves in the first half. In the 11th minute, he punched a ball crossed into the box before saving the ensuing shot by a Charlotte forward.
After giving up the goal, Montreal kept trying to break through Charlotte’s defence. In the 74th minute, Ballou Jean-Yves Tabla dribbled past the opposing defender before passing in the box, but Louis Béland-Goyette’s shot was blocked.
“We were better in many aspects of the game,” said head coach Philippe Eullaffroy. “We lacked a bit of quality in the box. Our players were on the same page so it was interesting. I’m disappointed for them because they played the game that we expected from them.”
“We played a good first half,” said defender Aron Mkungilwa. “The attacking and defensive transition was good, but we lacked finishing going to the goal. Generally speaking, it was a good game for the group. We are disappointed and frustrated, but in training we keep working hard and always come back to get the three points.”
FC Montreal’s next game will be played on Wednesday, August 3, against FC Cincinnati at 2pm at the Claude-Robillard Sports Complex.
LINEUPS
FC Montreal: David Paulmin; Aron Mkungilwa, Nevello Yoseke (Mastanabal Kacher 88’), Thomas Meilleur-Giguère, Zachary Sukunda (Janouk Charbonneau 77’); Jérémy Gagnon-Laparé, Louis Béland-Goyette, David Choinière, Philippe Lincourt-Joseph (Heikel Jarras 58’), Ballou Jean-Yves Tabla; Yacine Ait Slimane (Badreddine Boulajoul 58’)
Subs not used: Luca Leone, Brandon Onkony, Fabrice Mbvouvouma
*MLS players
Charlotte: John Berner; Kevin Duckett, Patrick Slogic, Joel Johnson, Henry Kalungi; Jun Davidson, Lewis Hilton (Paul Clowes 46’), Enzo Martinez (Jack Metcalf 90’), Zach Pfeffer (Alex Martinez 60’); Caleb Calvert (Noberto Ochoa 82’), David Estrada
Subs not used: Cody Mizell, Austin Yearwood, Jorge Herrera
GOALS
CLT: Enzo Martinez 49’
CAUTIONS
MTL: Aron Mkungilwa 28’
MTL: Jérémy Gagnon-Laparé 34’
MTL: David Choinière 90’ + 3’
