Cincinnati FC beat Montreal 2-1 in a long-awaited home game against Martinez | NanaimoNewsNOW

Alec Cann started in goal as Cincinnati was without starting goaltender Roman Celentano for the second game due to injury. Defender London Agedo (leg) also missed the match.

Forwards Mahala Opoku (ankle) and Jules-Anthony Vilsaint (knee) are out for Montreal. Nathan Saliba was suspended after receiving a red card against Seattle.

Coccaro – the team's top scorer with three goals this season – came off in the 26th minute after Luca Orellano injured his right leg earlier in the match. Orellano received a yellow card in the game.

Martinez controlled Raheem Edwards' cross in the box before sending it into the bottom corner with his left foot to give Montreal a 1-0 lead in first-half injury time for just his second of the campaign.

Cincinnati equalized in the 58th minute as Cubo calmly slotted a chance past Montreal goalkeeper Jonathan Siruis after star midfielder Luciano Acosta sent him alone. Acosta, last year's league MVP, has two goals and four assists this season.

Lassiter responded quickly in the 62nd, burying a feed from Martinez past Cannes as Montreal regained the lead.

Cincinnati pushed back and controlled most of the ball in the final half hour, but couldn't score outside of Sirois.

Montreal dominated the first half, holding 54.4% possession, and had 10 shot attempts after two from Cincinnati, who picked up five yellow cards in the first 45 minutes.

The scoring chances started early as Rouen headed home in the ninth minute after a play-by-play with Mathieu Chaunier, who found the Brazilian wing-back breaking into the box.

Lassiter and Bryce Duke, who led Montreal's attack for most of the first half, joined the exchange in the 17th minute. However, Lassiter deflected the shot wide.

NEXT UP

Cincinnati: Travels to Atlanta United next Saturday.

Montreal: Orlando City host SC next Saturday.

This Canadian Press report was first published on April 13, 2024.

Daniel Rainbird, Canadian Press