2023-10-05 01:50:43
CF Montreal seemed headed for a bitter third consecutive loss, but Lassi Lappalainen played the hero to snatch a 1-1 draw from the Houston Dynamo on Wednesday evening at Stade Saputo.
Montreal is still in position to participate in the playoffs in the Eastern Association of Major League Soccer, although this point allows it to overtake New York City FC and temporarily take eighth place.
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It was one to midnight for the Bleu-Blanc-Noir, Lappalainen’s goal coming in stoppage time, in the 96th minute. Mathieu Choinière took a corner kick which landed on the Finn’s boot. After a few maneuvers, he was able to land a shot that surprised goalkeeper Steve Clark.
The supporters who almost no longer believed in it exploded with joy. Until then, their favorites had defended well, but their scoring opportunities had resulted in nothing.
Forward Romell Quioto was agitated for the first time since his return to the game. His strikes and those of his teammates did not worry the veteran Clark.
A costly mistake
Houston, which is one of the five best teams in the West this season, tried fewer things, but took advantage of an open door when it presented itself.
Early in the match, Fernando Alvarez was guilty of an error which led directly to Artur’s goal. The young defender fell following losing the ball, so he was unable to make a cover in the goalkeeper zone. Ibrahim Aliyu found Sebastian Kowalczyk in front of the net, who was able to serve Artur to perfection. The Brazilian, left completely alone, fired an unstoppable shot into the upper area.
Head coach Hernan Losada had aligned an all-Quebec midfielder with Zachary Brault-Guillard, Mathieu Choinière, Nathan Saliba and Samuel Piette. The latter almost got his team in hot water when he made a dangerous tackle in the 35th minute which might have earned him an expulsion by virtue of a second yellow card.
There are two games left in the CF Montreal season. The Portland Timbers will be the visitors on Saturday, while the final duel will be played once morest the Columbus Crew on October 21.
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