CF Montréal 3-1 FC Cincinnati — Prince Owusu delivered a decisive second-half double as CF Montréal claimed a 3-1 Major League Soccer win over FC Cincinnati at Stade Saputo on Saturday.
Montréal made the most of their opportunities despite seeing less of the ball, finishing with five shots on target from 15 attempts. Cincinnati controlled 54.8% possession and produced 18 shots, but Montréal were sharper in both penalty areas when the fixture turned.
Daniel Ríos gave the home side a deserved breakthrough in the 25th minute, putting Montréal ahead before the interval. The hosts took that 1-0 advantage into half-time, though Cincinnati remained a threat and had more corner kicks over the course of the match, winning six to Montréal’s four.
FC Cincinnati found their equaliser in the 64th minute through Tom Barlow, briefly shifting the momentum toward the visitors. But Montréal’s response was immediate and emphatic.
Owusu restored the home side’s lead from the penalty spot in the 72nd minute, converting calmly after Cincinnati goalkeeper Roman Celentano had been booked a minute earlier. The forward then struck again in the 75th minute, turning a tight contest into a convincing Montréal victory with a clinical finish.
Cincinnati could not mount another comeback in the closing stages, with Teenage Hadebe shown a yellow card in the 86th minute as Montréal saw out the result. Matthew Longstaff and Fabian Herbers were also booked for the hosts.
Montréal will next face Toronto FC on Saturday, October 10, while FC Cincinnati return to action the same day against Atlanta United FC.
Goals
- CF Montréal — Daniel Ríos, 25′
- FC Cincinnati — Tom Barlow, 64′
- CF Montréal — Prince Owusu, 72′ (penalty)
- CF Montréal — Prince Owusu, 75′
