Monsef Bakrar (left) celebrates after scoring a goal against CF Montreal during the first half at Yankee Stadium. (Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports)
Will wonders never cease?
Not only did New York City FC score twice in a game, but the soccer team even won a match.
The Cityzens accomplished that feat against CF Montreal in a 2-0 victory before 15,273 spectators at Yankee Stadium.
It was the second time City had scored multiple goals in a game against a Canadian team this season. They found the net five times in a 5-0 win over Toronto FC in a Leagues Cup match at Red Bull Arena on July 26.
NYCFC, which had been shut out in its last two matches, improved to 6-10-11 and moved into a 12th-place tie with the Red Bulls in the 15-team MLS Eastern Conference. The team will need a few more performances such as the one on Wednesday night if it has any hopes of reaching the playoffs. The top nine teams qualify for the postseason.
Andres Jasson and Monsef Bakrar, who tallied against Toronto, scored seven minutes apart in the first half to break up the game against eighth-place Montreal (11-13-2, 35).
Goalkeeper Matt Freese recorded the clean sheet.
Jasson gave the hosts all the scoring they needed on the half hour, working his way into the penalty area before sending a looping shot from the right side into the far post past keeper Jonathan Sirois and a one-goal lead. Left back Braian Cufre was credited with an assist.
Andres Jasson with the opener 🗽 #ForTheCity
Watch #NYCvMTL on @AppleTV #MLSSeasonPass: https://t.co/cMdkK7RFS3 pic.twitter.com/uYEvo0rHcl
— New York City Football Club (@NYCFC) August 31, 2023
Bakrar doubled the lead with his first MLS goal in the 37th minute. He ran onto a long ball by Birk Risa on the left flank before depositing it into the net from six yards.
Mounsef with his first @MLS goal 😍
Watch #NYCvMTL on @AppleTV #MLSSeasonPass: https://t.co/cMdkK7R82v pic.twitter.com/uOclzLAQkz
— New York City Football Club (@NYCFC) August 31, 2023