- New York Red Bulls secure 4th win behind Eile's decisive 67th-minute header
- Montreal remains winless in 2024 with league-worst 4 goals scored
- 17-year-old Owen Graham-Roache makes MLS debut for struggling Canadian side
- Red Bulls goalkeeper Coronel records 4th clean sheet this season
In a match highlighting contrasting MLS trajectories, the New York Red Bulls continued their playoff push while CF Montreal's nightmare season reached new lows. The decisive moment came through an unlikely source - 6'5Swedish defender Noah Eile, who outleaped three opponents to redirect Omar Valencia's corner kick inside the far post. This marked both Eile's maiden MLS goal and Valencia's first assist of the campaign.
Carlos Coronel's five-save performance proved equally vital for the hosts, particularly denying Montreal's late push for an equalizer. The Paraguayan shot-stopper now ranks among the league leaders in clean sheets (4) and save percentage (78.3%). His diving stop against Matías Cóccaro in the 81st minute preserved New York's slim advantage during Montreal's most dangerous attacking sequence.
The visitors' offensive struggles reached historic proportions, becoming the first MLS squad since 2019 to go three consecutive matches without registering a shot on target. Their minus-10 goal differential matches Western Conference bottom-dwellers LA Galaxy, though Montreal has played two fewer games. Head coach Laurent Courtois faces mounting pressure as his team's scoring rate of 0.4 goals per game threatens league records for offensive futility.
New York's tactical adjustments at halftime proved decisive. After mustering zero shots on target in the opening 45 minutes despite controlling possession, head coach Sandro Schwarz shifted Emil Forsberg into a false-nine role. This triggered an immediate onslaught with four shots on frame within five minutes of the restart, culminating in Eile's breakthrough.
Industry Insights
- Set-piece efficiency separates playoff contenders - Red Bulls have scored 38% of goals from dead balls (MLS average: 22%)
- MLS homegrown minutes up 17% year-over-year as teams prioritize youth development
- Eastern Conference teams now 12-3-5 against Canadian opponents in 2024
A regional comparison reveals Montreal's struggles mirror those of 2023's FC Dallas, who rebounded from similar offensive struggles by signing Argentine playmaker Alan Velasco. With the summer transfer window approaching, Montreal's front office faces pressure to secure creative reinforcements. Meanwhile, New York's victory propels them into fifth place in the tightly contested Eastern Conference, demonstrating how defensive organization (league-low 9 goals conceded) can compensate for sporadic attacking output.
The Red Bulls' academy pipeline continues yielding dividends as 19-year-old Valencia notched his fourth goal contribution this season. This victory extends New York's home unbeaten streak against Montreal to nine matches, dating back to 2017. For the visitors, silver linings emerged through Graham-Roache's promising 45-minute debut - the Quebec native became the youngest Canadian to start an MLS match since Alphonso Davies in 2016.