Summary
CF Montreal erased a two-goal second-half deficit to earn a 2-2 draw with the New England Revolution on Wednesday night at Gillette Stadium.
After conceding two goals in 11 minutes of play in the first half, the Bleu-blanc-noir drew on its resources to equalize and go and get a very important point away from home.
Tom Pearce and Nathan Saliba scored for the first time in their MLS careers, helping CF (7-12—10) maintain pace in the Eastern Conference playoff race.
The Montreal team slipped to 13th position in the East, but still came within two points of the ninth and final spot giving access to the fall tournament.
Bobby Wood scored his third goal of the campaign – his third against CF Montreal this season – and Esmir Bajraktarevic added a goal for the Revolution (8-16-4), who were unable to move out of last place in the East.
The two teams had crossed swords three and a half weeks ago at Stade Saputo. The Revolution had triumphed 5-0.
CF Montreal, which was once again without defender Joel Waterman, will return to action on Saturday night when the Chicago Fire visit.
Unexpected return
Unlike three weeks ago, the Bleu-blanc-noir was more disciplined in its territory at the start of the match. Its opponent still managed to get close to Jonathan Sirois’ net.
Following a blocked shot from Carles Gil, Nick Lima tried his luck with a volley, but the ball went over the net. Moments later, a turnover from Nathan Saliba caught all his teammates off guard in their third, but the Revolution ran out of ideas and Samuel Piette cleared his penalty area.
The persistence of Caleb Porter’s men paid off in the 24th minute, when CF Montreal was once again the victim of its tormentor. Surrounded by a few players near the penalty area, Wood turned and beat Sirois with a magnificent right-footed shot.
The visitors took a while to get back on track and the “Revs” took advantage to double their lead in the 35th minute. Gil slid the ball to Bajraktarevic, who then made a long run towards the center. While several Montreal players were taking pictures, the American found the back of the net with a precise strike.
Luca Langoni thought he had put the final nail in the coffin of the Bleu-blanc-noir before returning to the locker room, but his goal was disallowed because he was in an offside position.
Back on the field, CF Montreal showed encouraging signs and defender George Campbell provided a spark when he won a valuable free kick after a long run into enemy territory. Pearce rewarded his efforts by scoring in the 54th minute with a cannonball that gave goalkeeper Aljaz Ivacic no chance.
The celebrations could have been short-lived just six minutes later, but Sirois and defender Gabriele Corbo combined to stop two dangerous shots.
Laurent Courtois’s team got back to work and tied the game through an unusual candidate. With both feet in front of the penalty area, Saliba turned and returned the favor to Wood by finding the top corner to Ivacic’s right.
Both teams had the chance to grab two more points in the final moments of the game, but neither player was the hero.
CF Montreal will conclude an important three-game week this Saturday by facing the Chicago Fire at Stade Saputo at 7:30 p.m.
