Richmond Kickers Get Revenge with Late Win on FC Montreal
Yudai Imura’s 88th Minute Goal Extends Richmond’s Win Streak To Six
FC Montreal were looking to upset the Richmond Kickers for a second straight time after beating them on the road earlier this year.
This time at Complexe Sportif Claude Robillard, Richmond got their revenge winning 2-1 with goals by midfielders Luiz Fernando and Yunai Imura. Montreal’s goal came from midfielder Alessandro Riggi by way of a penalty kick.
“Frustrating but a good fight by the boys,” said in french assistant coach Simon Gatti, who filled in for suspended head coach Philippe Eullaffroy. “It’s mistakes that kill us at the end of the day.”
The Kickers didn’t hesitate to push on the offense to try and get the early lead. However, the Virginia based team faced Montreal goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau who let nothing past him in the first half, good saves and lucky bounces included.
At the start of the second half, Gatti turned his team around with a rare triple substitution. A change that almost paid off early at a time where Montreal is usually prone to conceding goals rather than scoring them.
“It’s always [the first few minutes after halftime] where we need to be focussed, when we come out of the locker room and we take a goal.” said Montreal midfielder Eichel Jarras in french. “We are going to continue working on this.”
Jarras, who was subbed in at the half, understood the message and was quick to change things up early in the second half. He headed a cross on goal at the 48th minute but was blocked at the last second by Richmond goalkeeper Matt Turner.
The Kickers, who didn’t have the momentum on their side, took advantage on a quick counter attack to push themselves forward. A long pass for defender Scott Thomsen, who was freshly subbed in by Richmond, set him free on the left flank.
He continued on and crossed to midfielder Luiz Fernando who shot the ball on Montreal goalkeeper Maxime Crepeau. His awkward rebound gave Fernando the opportunity to tap in an easy goal in an empty net and give his team the lead.
“We’re not lucky with the first goal where the ball is on the line and the rebound goes to them,” said Gatti. “At the end of the day they have the assets to score at that position so good for them.”
However, just like the past confrontation between both teams, a penalty was called against Richmond and Montreal midfielder Alessandro Riggi, again, took the ball from the spot to level the score at the 87th minute.
“In the second half we ha[d] all the momentum,” said Gatti. “We score[d], and as the coach, I wanted us for the next five minutes to push, not to drop, and not to concede. I wanted them to press and why not go for the win?”
One minute later, the Kickers had their go-ahead goal. A low cross from inside the box courtesy of Luiz Fernando setup Yunai Imura for the goal that broke Montreal’s hopes of getting their first point at home.
“On the second goal the ball enters the box, there was no pressure so it wasn’t well managed by [the defender on the play, Fabrice Mbvouvouma] and they killed us on this,” said Gatti.
“For sure the first point is something that is near to our hearts, to get that point in from of our fans,” said Jarras. “But it’s with work that we will get to win points at home.”
FC Montreal will finish their four-game home stint on Wednesday August 10 where they will host the Pittsburgh Riverhounds.
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