HARRISBURG, Pennsylvania – FC Montreal ended its series of four away games in 11 days with a 3-2 victory over the Harrisburg City Islanders on Tuesday night at FNB Field.
FC Montreal scored the only goal of the first half. Mastanabal Kacher picked up the ball in midfield before dribbling past three opponents. He beat goalkeeper Nick Noble with a powerful shot into the left corner to score his second goal of the season.
A few minutes earlier, goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau had stood strong and saved Aaron Wheeler’s header on a cross from the right flank.
Early in the second half, FC Montreal quickly scored two goals. In the 51st minute, Anthony Jackson-Hamel passed to Zachary Sukunda in the opponent’s box. The defender dribbled and beat Nick Noble with a strong shot.
In the 54th minute, Philippe Lincourt-Joseph fed forward Anthony Jackson-Hamel, who controlled the ball before shooting low into the right corner to score his third goal in three games.
The City Islanders replied with two goals at the end of the game. Aaron Wheeler scored in the 77th minute with a header, sending the ball over goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau. His second goal came in the 82nd minute, also on a header, this time on a corner.
Montreal held on defensively in the end of the game to win and take the three points.
“The emotion comes from the fact that it’s a fourth game in 11 days with a reduced roster,” said head coach Philippe Eullaffroy. “Players showed that they are competitors, that they have a winning mentality and that they never give up. Credit to them, because the conditions were not in our favour in this game. There was will. We remained dangerous until the end. It’s a good life lesson and it shows the values that the Academy players can have.”
“We feel like it’s mission accomplished,” said midfielder Philippe Lincourt-Joseph. “It was the last game on the road in two weeks, and every guy came in that game like it was a final. Getting three points was the only possibility tonight. We had problems dealing with closing the games this season, but we knew what to expect this time.”
FC Montreal will play its next game on Sunday, June 26, at 3pm, at the Claude-Robillard Sports Complex. Fans can enter the stadium on the Southwest side of the field starting at 2pm. Tickets cost $5, with $1 going to the Montreal Impact Foundation. Admission is free for season ticket holders on presentation of their membership card.
LINEUPS
FC Montreal: Maxime Crépeau; Zachary Sukunda, Janouk Charbonneau, Nevello Yoseke, Aron Mkungilwa; Louis Béland-Goyette, Mastanabal Kacher, Philippe Lincourt-Joseph, Alessandro Riggi, Yacine Ait Slimane (Heikel Jarras 78’); Anthony Jackson-Hamel (Fabio Morelli 75’)
Subs not used: David Paulmin, Jérémy Gagnon-Laparé
MLS players
Harrisburg: Nick Noble; James Thomas, Liam Doyle, Shane Johnson, Shawn McLaws; Jose Barril (Garret Pettis 75’), Joshua Hughes (Cardel Benbow 56’), Mouhamed Dabo, Paul Wilson (Craig Foster 56’), Bobby Warshaw; Aaron Wheeler
Subs not used: Keasel Broome, Shane Campbell, Matthew Bolduc, Danny DiPrima
GOALS
MTL: Mastanabal Kacher 30’
MTL: Zachary Sukunda 51’
MTL: Anthony Jackson-Hamel 54’
HAR: Aaron Wheeler 77’
HAR: Aaron Wheeler 82’
CAUTIONS
MTL: Yacine Ait Slimane 43’
MTL: Nevello Yoseke 54’
MTL: Fabio Morelli 89’
HAR: Garret Pettis 92’
MTL: Heikel Jarras 92’
