April 25th, 2026
Prince Owusu tally edges CF Montreal over New York City FC
CF Montreal extended its home winning streak to two games on Saturday, on a brilliant individual effort from striker Prince Owusu.
Montreal now has three wins on the season, two at home and both of those under new interim manager Philippe Eullaffroy, and all three wins have come against teams from New York, for some strange reason.
See Also: CF Montreal dismantle New York Red Bull at Stade Saputo
Last Saturday, the Bleu-blanc-noir earned its first victory under the guidance of Eullaffroy. Prince Owusu was a key factor then, too, as he scored one goal and added two assists as the Montrealers swept their season series against Red Bull New York with a 4-1 win.
In the 18th minute, CF Montreal’s Matty Longstaff sent a cross into the New York City both, where Prince Owusu and New York City FC defender Kai Trwein tussled for position, before Owusu made a last minute lung that caught the ball as it was about to hit the pitch, catching enough of the ball to push it past hapless goalkeeper Matt Freese.
CF Montreal came into this match up with the same squad that had beaten the Red Bull last weekend, and despite New York City FC holding the majority of possession, did well in keeping their chances to a minimum.
Eullaffroy himself said he is an offense first coach, but has also shown to be quite well versed in the defensive side of the game as well.
“I have a lot of tricks in my pocket, and some tricks need time to work and apply it in-game,” said Eullaffroy who estimated he’s only made 20 per cent of his desired tactical changes. “If we do the 20 per cent well, then maybe we can add five per cent.
Tayvon Gray was handed a red card in the 78th minute of play, leaving New York City FC with an even more difficult task as they struggled and searched to find an equalizing goal. Gray had earned his first yellow card just four minutes prior. Gray was beaten by Montreal’s Ivan Jaime, which resulted in Gray’s reckless tackle from behind that brought Jaime crashing to the pitch.
A minute later, New York City FC earned their best scoring chance of the match, when CF Montreal defender Jalen Neal fell while attempting to play an innocent looking ball, leaving Seymour Reid to stream in alone, slipping a lovely pass over to a wide open Talles Magno who took a nice shot on goal, only for it to be blocked by goalkeeper Thomas Gillier.
While CF Montreal had been under attack pretty from New York City FC much from the moment they had scored to take the lead in the match, due in part to on field tactics like changing their formation, they did well in weathering the storm.
“It took us a bit too much time to change our pressing triggers when they changed their shape, but even if we stumbled a bit, we didn’t concede,” said Eullaffroy. “I like to see things as ‘glass half-full’ so it’s definitely progress.”
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Today’s win is CF Montreal’s fourth consecutive win against New York City FC, dating back to a two-nil victory on October 19th, 2024 at Stade Saputo.
CF Montreal are next in action on May 2nd when they visit the struggling Atlanta United FC at Mercedes Stadium. New York City FC will face the Red Bull New York for a US Open Cup edition of the Hudson River Derby on April 19th.
