Montreal 2 Inter Miami 3
Inter Miami produced another comeback win, overcoming a two-goal disadvantage against Montreal to keep all the points and maintain their winning run.
It was another slow start for Inter as they found themselves two goals down just after the half-hour mark. Montreal showed some good attaching intent from the first whistle, and they were able to create openings using their pace down the flanks.
Finally, the pressure told. A quick counterattack down the left found Jules-Anthony Vilsaint and his pace took him away from the defense before he played the perfect pass for Bryce Duke. The number ten slipped the ball through Drake Cullender’s legs to open the scoring.
The big keeper started to come off his line but seemed to stop rather than attack the ball or player, giving the striker more goal to aim at, and he took the opportunity.
Inter’s number one did much better soon after. As Miami tried to get a foothold on the game, they were still vulnerable down the flanks and another Montreal attack saw another chance, this time for Mathieu Choiniere. His low drive was well stopped by Callender, but it was a short reprieve, and the home team soon added to their goal tally.
Again, it was down the wing that Miami came undone. Ariel Lassiter raced onto a long pass and his neat cut-back found Vilsaint just inside the area and his curling effort nestled into the net to leave his side two goals to the good.
And it could have been even worse for Miami. Duke had another great chance to extend the lead, but with the goal at his mercy, his weak effort went straight into the relieved hands of Callender. However, it did leave the Miami defense arguing amongst themselves and they were clearly rattled by what had happened.
Moments later Miami were on the score sheet and the game changed.
A free kick on the edge of the area would normally have seen Lionel Messi lined up to take it, but with the captain temporarily off the pitch for treatment, Matias Rojas stepped up, and he did so in some style.
The midfielder had been quiet up until then but his super strike just before halftime beat Jonathan Sirois to give his side the impetus they had been lacking.
Indeed, minutes later they were level when Duke, back for defensive duties, inadvertently flicked on a Miami corner to Luis Suarez at the back post. The striker did what he does best and poached the equalizer in additional time at the end of the first half.
It was a cruel blow for Montreal who had looked good for their lead, but Miami have been making a habit of coming back from a deficit recently, and with the likes of Messi and Suarez on the pitch, there is always the chance of goals.
They have been guilty of conceding goals early, and Miami coach Javier Morales will want to break that sequence to stop making it so hard for his team.
And just as in previous weeks, Miami forced a complete turnaround in the second half with what turned out to be the winning goal.
Back on the pitch after a knee complaint, Messi received the ball in his own half. He was surrounded by players but managed to create some space and find Rojas with some time. The number seven played an inviting ball over the top to beat the high line set by Montreal, and it had the desired effect.
Benjamin Cremaschi had made a great run to meet the pass, and although he never really got full control of the ball, he did just about enough to slide it past Sirois and give his side the lead for the first time in the match.
It was a lead they wouldn’t give up, despite Montreal’s best efforts to find an equalizer. And although they conceded first again, Miami was strong enough to respond and find a way to win. The result consolidated their lead at the top of the table as they stretched their winning run to five games.
