Montreal – Relaxing? Kei Kamara made sure that didn’t happen.
In the Montreal side’s first game since securing the Annex berth, the veteran showed the way forward for anyone who was tempted to slow down for just one night. He scored two goals and assisted the third and his team survived collective indiscipline to defeat Chicago Fire 3-2.
Thanks to this victory, the Montreal team confirmed that they would start the playoff round with a home match. They also regained a six-point lead over the New York Red Bulls for second in the East. Both teams play three matches before the schedule ends.
However, the conditions were favorable for half-measures. A few hours before the start of the game, the light rain that fell on Montreal during the afternoon turned into a real deluge. The flow eventually slowed, but throughout the evening the Stade Saputo park surveyed a steady fleet.
Camara, impervious to adversity, was played as if she had been challenged by Zeus himself.
at 21e Minute, lurking in the penalty area, the third scorer in MLS history put his heels in a shot from Ismail Kony to redirect it behind goalkeeper Gabriel Slonina.
Eight minutes later, the skinny striker harnessed some great work from Kony and Zachary Broult-Gillard to get the ball back to increase the damage.
Camara has always been considered the most irritating pet, and he tormented her twelve times before joining their ranks. It’s now officially the fire that’s his favorite victim. His two most recent goals gave him 14 career goals against Chicago, more than any other MLS opponent.
Camara has now scored in each of his last four starts. He claimed five goals in that period.
“The hardest thing about tonight’s game is being there despite what we accomplished in our last match and knowing our achievements in the standings, he admitted after the match. Historically, it is difficult to maintain such a high level of focus in these circumstances. If anyone is going to lead by example, it has to be someone like me. He has experienced these different feelings in the past.”
Beyond the goals
We also know that a player with experience 23 can play the hangman without necessarily putting her in it. at 45e A minute, when Chicago had cut the difference in half, he intercepted the guests’ counterattack and found Brault Gillard in the right lane. The side took a few steps before crossing a shot out of Slonina’s reach.
ZPG, the top scorer who sent Montreal to the playoffs last week, scored a goal in the second game in a row.
In addition to his eight goals, Camara now has seven assists. He’s only one short of matching his career highs in 2012 (Kansas City) and 2015 (Columbus).
“That’s what excites me the most because that was my role when I got here: to help. Getting help on the pitch, as well as helping the players around me off the field. I know I can score goals, it never worried me. […] What makes me most proud is how I can connect with and highlight some of the players in the final third. »
“What interests me is his attitude,” coach Wilfried Nancy said. Whether he’s playing five or 95 minutes, young or old, as I call him, he’s there all the time. So much the better. He’s a competitor and he showed that again today. »
Disadvantages
Fire’s two goals were scored from a penalty kick. Sebastian Briza was penalized for obstructing striker John Doran’s action in the penalty area at 38.e the moment. Joel Waterman was reprimanded for bullying him near his bodyguard at 57e. Each time, Zardan Shaqiri followed him by winning a duel against Briza.
The hosts continued to test referee Ted Unkel’s limits in the final half hour, with defender Rudy Camacho, in particular, playing fire with a slithering shot close to his own goal.
So a game that was supposed to be out of reach too soon for visitors gave the hosts some cold sweats. Nancy agreed that he would have liked to be “a little quieter,” but saw the generosity as an educational opportunity for his men.
Let’s say we stupidly got into trouble. We could have reacted better to all of this. But it’s good. I like to present challenges to the players when we win the match. There I have little. »
He’ll know if the CFM players learned their lessons on Saturday as they take their 10th road win of the season in the New England Revolution.