MONTREAL — Los Angeles FC overcame a two-goal deficit within the first half and salvaged a 2-2 Main League Soccer draw in opposition to CF Montreal on Saturday evening at Stade Saputo.
Mark Delgado and Olivier Giroud accounted for Los Angeles’ (6-4-5) objectives on the evening, serving to the visiting aspect run their unbeaten streak to eight video games within the course of. Additionally they stay undefeated in opposition to Montreal in three profession outings in opposition to their Japanese Convention opponent.
Forwards Giacomo Vrioni and Prince Owusu scored opening half tallies for Montreal (1-9-5), which noticed its winless streak lengthen to seven video games on house turf.
Montreal’s woes continued on this rain-soaked evening. The membership was coming off a 6-1 shellacking by the hands of rival Toronto FC final Saturday and a 1-0 defeat in Hamilton to Forge FC of the Canadian Premier League within the Canadian Championship on Tuesday.
The staff’s season-long struggles even resulted within the staff’s supporters, often known as the Ultras, leaving the underside half of its routine part behind the south-side web empty in an indication of frustration. The group additionally unfurled a banner that learn in French: “Administration and coaches, you deliver disgrace to the supporters.”
Montreal managed play early and was rewarded with the sport’s opening aim in simply the fifth minute of motion.
After Prince Owusu’s shot was initially blocked by Los Angeles defender Eddie Segura, the ball got here on to fellow ahead Vrioni. The Italian striker then outmuscled L.A.’s Sergi Palencia earlier than depositing his shot to the left of an outstretched Hugo Lloris.
Montreal doubled its lead within the twenty second minute. LAFC’s Denis Bouanga took down Montreal defender Dawid Bugaj within the field, leading to a penalty being awarded to CF Montreal. Owusu made no mistake, utilizing a fast stutter-step faux to elude Lloris earlier than burying his shot to the goalkeeper’s left. It was Owusu’s team-leading fourth aim of the season.
It marked the primary time Montreal had led by two objectives in a recreation this season.
Moments later, Montreal goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois preserved the staff’s two-goal lead with a highlight-reel save. The Lasalle, Que., native dove to his proper to cease Bouanga, who leads LAFC with seven objectives this season.
Los Angeles would get one again, nonetheless, earlier than halftime, courtesy of midfielder Delgado.
Montreal had a number of alternatives so as to add to its lead within the second half, none higher than a 72nd-minute drive on web from defender Tom Pearce, which Lloris simply acquired a bit of to direct excessive above his web.
The house staff’s lack of execution got here again to chunk them moments later. French worldwide Giroud, who entered the sport as an alternative within the 72nd minute, scored with a left-footed shot from the centre of the field that beat Sirois to the underside proper nook.
It was solely Giroud’s second aim with Los Angeles for the reason that 38-year-old joined the staff as a delegated participant final Might.
With the draw, Montreal stays on the backside of the MLS Japanese Convention standings. Solely the winless L.A. Galaxy have a worse file than CF Montreal.
Montreal: Go to Lionel Messi and Inter Miami CF on Wednesday.
Los Angeles FC: Hosts Mexican aspect Membership America on Saturday in a one-game play-in match to qualify for the 2025 FIFA Membership World Cup.
