FC Cincinnati earned their first win of the 2021 MLS season on Saturday afternoon, beating CF Montréal 2-1 at DRV PINK Stadium via comeback-infused goals from Jurgen Locadia and Gustavo Vallecilla.
Romell Quioto missed a golden chance to open the scoring just before halftime when the Honduran forward and Zachary Brault-Guillard were both through on goal. The Canadian wingback squared across the box, but Quioto couldn't steer his shot into the wide-open net.
However, Quioto made amends in the second half when he helped Djordje Mihailovic tally in the 56th minute. Mihailovic entered the final third by sending a through ball for Quioto into space. When his shooting angle got closed down, Quioto sent a low cross toward the center of the box and Mihailavoic beat FCC's defense to take a 1-0 lead.
But Cincinnati would fight back and find an equalizer via a corner kick in the 70th minute. After Montréal tried to clear the ball to safety, Geoff Cameron headed back inside the six-yard box and Locadia was in the perfect position for a flicked-on effort toward the far post that tied the game at 1-1.
Cincinnati completed their comeback in the 86th minute thanks to another dead-ball opportunity from the head of Vallecilla, courtesy of Ronald Mataritta's inswinging free kick. The center back zoomed past Erik Hurtado's coverage to nod beyond Clement Diop and give Jaap Stam's team the road victory.
Goals
Three things
- THE BIG PICTURE: FC Cincinnati found their first win of the season after an emotional loss in TQL Stadium's opener last weekend. The manner of the win should provide and extra boost given it ended a run of 36 straight losses in games in which they've conceded the first goal. For CF Montréal, meanwhile, it's now just one win in their last six matches to dampen what had been an encouraging start to the season.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: How about an 86th-minute goal from a diving header? Gustavo Vallecilla has got you covered, Cincinnati fans.
- MAN OF THE MATCH: Gustavo Vallecilla gave FC Cincinnati all three points, his best moment in MLS since joining the Orange & Blue on loan from Ecuadorian side SD Aucas.
Next up
- MTL: Saturday, May 29 at Chicago Fire FC | 1:00 pm ET (MLS LIVE on ESPN+; TVA Sports, CTV)
- CIN: Saturday, May 29 vs New England Revolution | 3 pm ET (MLS LIVE on ESPN+)
