SHERBROOKE – FC Montreal won 5-0 against the Vert et Or at Université de Sherbrooke on Sunday afternoon, in a preparation game for the USL season.
In the 12th minute, winger Yacine Ait Slimane applied pressure on the opposing defence and won the ball back. He passed to forward Jacques Haman, who then scored the first goal of the game from inside the box.
Haman ended up making a key pass himself before halftime, placing the ball into midfielder Philippe Lincourt-Joseph’s run and releasing him in front of the goalkeeper. Lincourt-Joseph shot on the right side to score in the 41st minute.
The Bleu-blanc-noir started the second half the same way, applying high pressure and excelling in defensive transition.
After a cross from defender Zachary Sukunda from the right flank, winger Michael Bilak slammed a strong shot into the top left corner to make it 3-0 in the 50th minute.
Midfielder Mastanabal Kacher scored the team’s last two goals. On a pass from Bilak, Kacher took a precise low shot from 25 yards, in the 65th minute. He scored his second in the 83rd minute, bending his free kick into the left corner from outside of the box.
“We got better as the game went on. I was satisfied with their defensive attitude, said assistant coach Simon Gatti. The quality was sometimes average and we could have scored more goals, but it was a good lesson for us.”
FC Montreal will play its last game against Quebec university teams on Sunday, March 6, at 6pm, against Université de Montréal at Complexe sportif Marie-Victorin. The USL team will continue its preseason with games against Southern New Hampshire University, the Rochester Rhinos and the Ottawa Fury.
LINEUP
James Pantemis; Aron Mkungilwa, Jems Geffrard, Nevello Yoseke, Janouk Charbonneau; Mastanabal Kacher, Yacine Ait Slimane, Heikel Jarras, Philippe Lincourt-Joseph, Fabio Morelli; Jacques Haman
Subs: Luca Leone, Zachary Sukunda, Simon Lemire, Michael Bilak, Fabrice Mbvouvouma
GOALS
FCMTL: Jacques Haman 12’
FCMTL: Philippe Lincourt-Joseph 41’
FCMTL: Michael Bilak 50’
FCMTL: Mastanabal Kacher 65’
FCMTL: Mastanabal Kacher 83’