COLUMBUS, Ohio – In the heat of a three-game-in-eight-day streak, CF Montréal overcame a one goal deficit to beat Columbus 1-2, on Wednesday night, at Lower.com Field.
Midfielder Lucas Zelarayán opened the score for the Crew at the 14th minute of play, but CF Montréal striker Kei Kamara scored the equalizer at the 88th minute, and defender Joel Waterman scored the game-winning goal during stoppage time.
Interrupted around 9:15pm (74th minute of play) due to thunderstorms in the Columbus area, the game resumed about 90 minutes later.
CF Montréal recorded its sixth win on the road this season, handing the Crew its first loss in 10 games.
Wilfried Nancy's men will return to Stade Saputo this Saturday at 7:30pm to play the second of six games in August, against Inter Miami CF, while celebrating its annual Pride game. Tickets available here.
GAME NOTES
-Kei Kamara, with his 4th goal of the season (all on the road), is now tied for third in league history with 134 goals in MLS.
-Defender Rudy Camacho started his 100th MLS game with CF Montréal, becoming the 5th Club player to reach this milestone, after Nacho Piatti (130), Hassoun Camara (124), Samuel Piette (118) and Patrice Bernier (112).
-This weather delay was the second longest for the Club n MLS, after the 2:18 break in Miami, on May 12, 2021.
-With this win, the Bleu-blanc-noir sits alone in third place of the Eastern Conference with 39 points after 23 games.
WILFRIED NANCY
“I was emotional after this win because we represented him [Jason Di Tullio]. I'm not surprised at what we did. It was the first time that my staff and I had a stoppage because of thunderstorms while we were dominating so thoroughly, and we told ourselves we were going to win this match at the restart, and we did it. That's us, we're like that. Last year we had already demonstrated it, but the difference tonight is that we managed to score the winning goal. It was not easy because of the heat, the stadium is beautiful, but the pitch was not ideal. Whether we are at home or away, this is how we play. We have values that are in that spirit and tonight that's what we demonstrated. »
JOEL WATERMAN
“Kei put us on the board, and I was blessed to be able to get the game winner. It was a fantastic night. We could not get it done against NYCFC and we felt robbed after such a good game, but tonight it was “La Grinta” in full force. We had a big thought for him [Jason Di Tullio] and for his family. It was a very special moment for me and the Club, but now we have to get ready for Miami on Saturday.”
KEI KAMARA
“I did not personally know Jason [Di Tullio], blessings to his family, but I remember when he came visit the group this year. It’s amazing for players to have that heart, for kids like Ismaël [Koné] and Mathieu [Choinière], I could see the connection they had with him. May he rest well, I can’t wait for us to return to Montreal and keep celebrating him like the champion he was.”
About his 134th career goal
“I’m blessed, it’s been a journey, but I’m not done yet, I still got a few years in me. I feel good, my birthday is coming in about a month and everyone is going to ask me “When are you going to retire? You’re 38!”, but I’m just blessed and want to keep it going.”
