New York City FC Goals: Tajouri-Shradi 29’
CF Montréal Goals:
Quick Read
New York City FC were in midweek action against CF Montréal. The Canadians arrived on a six-game unbeaten run which included a thrilling 5-4 win against FC Cincinnati last time out. NYCFC took a first-half lead through Ismael Tajouri-Shradi. The hosts pressed hard for a second, but in the end Tajouri-Shradi's fifth goal of the season proved enough to secure a win for Ronny Deila's side.
Match Recap
New York City FC were looking for a win to get back on track after successive losses on Wednesday as they faced off CF Montréal for the second time in three games.
Head Coach Ronny Deila opted for a pair of changes after the defeat to Columbus Crew on Saturday, introducing Alfredo Morales and Ismael Tajouri-Shradi in place of Keaton Parks and Thiago Andrade.
The visitors started the game well, and had an early opportunity when Joaquin Torres ran onto a Bjorn Johnsen flick to run in behind – his cross comfortably smothered by Luis Barraza.
The Norwegian striker would clip the crossbar in the ninth minute after a Maxime Chanot clearance deflected into his path and allowed him to get a shot off.
In response, the Boys in Blue engineered a fine chance in the 16th minute after winning the ball back near the halfway line.
A combination between Maxi Moralez, Taty Castellanos and Jesús Medina ended up with Castellanos firing an effort on goal that was well saved by Montréal goalkeeper James Pantemis.
The hosts were now growing into the game, and when the NYCFC breakthrough did arrive in the 29th minute it came thanks to an unlikely assist from Barraza.
The shot-stopper’s long kick upfield put Tajouri-Shradi and Zorhan Bassong in a foot-race that saw the NYCFC man come out on top.
Keeping his cool, the Libyan delicately lobbed it over a stranded goalkeeper to give the Boys in Blue a first-half lead. They almost had a second minutes later through Medina.
A pass out wide by Moralez found Gudi Thórarinsson in space. His low cross landed on the foot of the Paraguayan, but he failed to find the target.
Another good chance followed before the half was over when a flowing counter-attack allowed Tajouri-Shradi to find Moralez in space just inside the Montréal penalty box – his shot unfortunately drifting wide.
The start of the second period saw an early chance for NYCFC thanks to the creativity of Moralez.
His cushioned header at the back post landed at the feet of Medina in the six-yard box, but his effort was well smothered by Montréal’s goalkeeper.
The veteran playmaker was again the chief architect in the 54th minute, this time via freekick. His whipped effort evaded Montréal’s defence and fell to Chanot but he could not adjust his feet in time to convert.
The Boys in Blue seemed destined for a second in the 56 the minute after Castellanos nodded the ball down to Medina on the edge of the area.
He then cut inside and squared it back to Tajouri-Shradi, but his effort was denied by the crossbar.
In the 72nd minute, Ronny Deila then turned to his bench to introduce Parks in place of the impressive Nicolás Acevedo.
NYCFC were attempting to control the tempo of proceedings and see out the game to secure a big win. In the 74th minute an NYCFC corner saw the ball eventually pop out to Thórarinsson on the edge but his ambitious effort went wide.
Minutes later a delightful clipped pass in behind by Parks allowed Castellanos the chance to head at goal but he couldn’t generate enough power to beat the Montréal goalkeeper.
The final ten minutes of regular time saw two more changes for NYCFC as Malte Amundsen and Thiago Andrade entered in place of Thórarinsson and Castellanos.
NYCFC's search for a second goal carried right up until the final minute of regular play. This time it was Amundsen that slotted Medina in, but his attempted cutback trickled into the hands of the goalkeeper.
That would be the last major opportunity for Tajouri-Shradi to score as he was subbed off in injury time in place of Sebastien Ibeagha.
Heineken Man of the Match
How We Lined Up
What's Next
Next up for New York City FC is a meeting with Orlando City SC on Sunday, July 25 at Yankee Stadium with kickoff taking place at 6:00PM ET (YES Network/NYCFC.com/Radio).
