Luca Orellano scores twice as FC Cincinnati tops CF Montreal

Field Level Media|published: Sat 31st August, 22:12 2024

Aug 31, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; FC Cincinnati forward Yuya Kubo (7) battles for the ball against CF Montreal defender Fernando Alvarez (4) in the first half at TQL Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports

A brace of spectacular goals by Luca Orellano gave FC Cincinnati a 4-1 home victory over CF Montreal on Saturday night.

In the 57th minute, Orellano took advantage of a Montreal team not paying attention, including goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois. Orellano launched a shot off a free kick 10 yards inside the Cincinnati defensive half and over the head of a leaping Sirois, standing far outside his 18-yard box.

Orellano hit a free kick goal from much closer range for Cincinnati (16-8-3, 51 points) to start the second half.

In the 46th minute, Montreal (27-9-6, 27 points) defender Joel Waterman received a pass in his defensive end. Cincinnati's Kevin Kelsy closed down on Waterman, forcing a turnover. Waterman wrapped his arm around Kelsy, earning a foul call and a called penalty.

After consulting the VAR monitor, the foul was pulled back a yard outside of the penalty area. In the 53rd minute, off the free kick on the Waterman foul, Orellano sent in a curling shot that deflected off the Montreal wall and into the corner of the net.

Kelsy and Sergio Santos each added goals, rounding out the four-goal evening for Cincinnati.

Montreal scored a consolation goal in the 81st minute. Fernando Alvarez found Kwadwo Opoku, who split the Cincinnati defensive backline and slotted Montreal's first shot of the night to the left of a charging Roman Celentano.

The win stops the four-match losing streak for FC Cincinnati, giving the reigning Supporters' Shield winners their first MLS regular-season win since July 6.

For Montreal, Sorois kept the Canadian side in the match early. With Cincinnati heavily out-possessing Montreal early, two set pieces ended with saves from the goalkeeper.

However, the saves ultimately didn't matter and the Montreal defeat was their third in a row in MLS regular-season play. In the skid, CF Montreal was outscored 10-1.

Saturday, Montreal heads back home for a match against Charlotte FC. For FC Cincinnati, they welcome the Columbus Crew in the Hell is Real derby.

--Field Level Media

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