Frederic Brillant had a brilliant night on the back line for NYCFC in their 1-0 shutout victory over the Montreal Impact on Wednesday.
Big Fred notched four clearances, four recoveries, three interceptions, and two big blocks in the midweek victory that took City one step closer to locking up second place in the Eastern Conference and a first-round playoff bye.
Brillant and his center back partner Alexander Callens were called upon on multiple occasions to stop Montreal breaks led by the likes of Montreal ace Ignacio Piatti, and came out on top time and time again.
Brillant's performance helped keep City on the front foot throughout the night, inspiring confidence in the team to go forward, play aggressively, and create loads of chances in the attacking third.
READ:Match Recap: NYCFC 1-0 Montreal
Key Moment
In the 28th minute, Brillant came up with two huge blocks on the same Montreal possession. The first one came when Piatti swerved past Alexander Ring in midfield, took a pair of touches forward, and unleashed a shot on Sean Johnson's goal. Brillant stormed forward from the back line and closed down the shot before it ever had a chance.
Just a few seconds later, Blerim Dzemaili slid in on the top of the 18, trying to take advantage of a long ball sent in toward Montreal forward Anthony Jackson-Hamel, but Brillant was there again to snuff out the danger, getting his body in the path of Dzemaili's shot.
NYCFC took possession of the ball, and Jack Harrison scored the game-winning goal just a few moments later.
READ:Vieira: Jack Loves the Game
In Patrick's Words...
.@OfficialVieira breaks down his team's performance in the 1-0 victory over @impactmontreal
— New York City FC (@NYCFC) September 28, 2017
📺 #AskNYCFC, presented by @EtihadAirways ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/CKePN3Klen
The Fans Said...
This one is from our match against Portland, but Big Fred found himself on the other end of it this time...
You miss 100% of the shots Fred blocks. Fact.
In Numbers...
PHOTOS: Making an Impact in Montreal
