FC Montreal Lose to Orlando City B in Heated Matchup

Despite Many Scoring Chances Orlando Leave With Victory

SportsTristan D’Amours — Published June 26, 2016

Instead, the home team were robbed of the victory by Orlando City B on a 3-1 score line, thanks to goals by forward Hadji Barry and Pierre Da Silva, as well as an unfortunate own-goal by fullback Aron Mkungilwa.

“Paradoxically, we lose but we saw a lot of action in front of goal,” said FC Montreal head coach Philippe Eullaffroy.

It wasn’t from lack of effort that the Montreal players left for the locker rooms at halftime with a 2-1 deficit.

FC Montreal dominated the scoring chance category with players like striker Anthony Jackson-Hamel and midfielder Alessandro Riggi being one step ahead on the Orlando City B defence. OCB’s goalkeeper Mark Ridgers avoided what would have been a high scoring affair for the Montrealers.

“It’s not that we didn’t get chances, we got them,” said Riggi. “If we look at the first half, we had about ten shots in the half and for us ten shots in a half is not something we’ve done this year. I missed some, Jackson missed some, and that’s the difference.”

“I don’t think the score line reflects the performance [and] it hurts.” — Alessandro Riggi, FC Montreal player

Due to the heat, a mandatory water break drew the line between Montreal’s dominance of the first half and the start of Orlando’s scoring.

The momentum Montreal built crumbled to pieces seconds after the restart, after Barry beat Montreal goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau on a one-on-one situation at the 30th minute mark.

“[Water breaks] pierces the rhythm,” said Eullaffroy. “Now I think it’s necessary regarding the temperature and I think the health of the players is more important than the rhythm but it did affect the play.”

Montreal did get one goal back from the penalty spot at the 35th minute. Riggi chose the right side and scored FC Montreal’s first ever goal at their new home.

The equalizer did not last long as at the 42nd minute, Montreal fullback Aron Mkungilwa tried to deflect a cross out of play but redirected it in his own net to give Orlando the game winning goal. Orlando would add an insurance goal late in the second half courtesy of midfielder Pierre Da Silva.

“We made two errors, it happens sometimes. [It was] unlucky,” said Riggi. “I don’t think the score line reflects the performance [and] it hurts.”

Both Eullaffroy and Riggi cited the team’s five games in the span of 15 days, including a four-game road trip, their longest of the season where the team travelled by bus only. Many on the squad were not used to these situations but Riggi doesn’t think they should use this as a crutch.

“If we put in one or two more they would be done by halftime. Instead we let them into the game,” said Riggi. “Again, we score but in the next ten minutes, it’s always the same thing, we get scored on and yes it’s in part because of fatigue, but we can’t use this as an excuse.”

Both Riggi and Eullaffroy believe the 22 year old has come back to his former self after missing three months due to injury. Despite coming off limping after being substituted at the 55th minute mark, his chemistry with Jackson-Hamel, a player he has been playing with for the past ten years, has been the bright side of this loss.

“We need to find the chemistry even against quality opposition like we saw in the first half where the two were really good,” said Eullaffroy. “It was a shame that Riggi got injured later on.”

“It was difficult for me at the start of the season because of the concussion and missing preseason but now I’m starting to get back to the true Riggi,” said the Montreal native. “Missing three months wasn’t easy but now I’m good. I have something on my foot but it’s nothing serious and I’ll be back stronger than today.”

Montreal will continue their season in the United Soccer League and travel south to Kentucky, where they will play Louisville City FC on July 4.