Alonso Martinez scored in both halves and host New York City FC won its second straight match, defeating CF Montreal 2-0 on Wednesday.
Hannes Wolf assisted on both goals and James Sands also was credited with an assist as NYCFC (11-8-2, 35 points), playing at Citi Field instead of its normal venue of Yankee Stadium, improved its home record to 8-3-1. Only Los Angeles FC have more home wins (nine) in MLS this season.
Montreal (5-9-7, 22 points), after opening its season 2-0-1 away from home, is 0-7-2 in its past nine road matches.
Martinez staked NYCFC to a 1-0 lead in the ninth minute, a goal initially ruled offside in the buildup before being awarded following a video review.
A lazy pass from Montreal’s George Campbell found the foot of Wolf, with the Austrian playing Martinez into a one-on-one opportunity with Montreal goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois that he powered into the top of the net.
In the 56th minute, Martinez doubled New York City’s lead, taking a short, chipped pass from Wolf and striking it first time past Sirois to make it 2-0.
Wolf came close to scoring himself in the 68th minute as he strode in with a brilliant run toward the net, but Sirois was up to the task.
Montreal had 11 shots on the night, but New York City goalkeeper Matt Freese was credited with three saves en route to a clean sheet. The best chance for the visitors came in the second minute of first-half stoppage time as Sunusi Ibrahim had a good look at goal but saw Freese deftly take away a near-post opportunity.
Despite the win, NYCFC was forced into a first-half substitution as Maxi Moralez exited in the 22nd minute after appearing to sustain a right leg injury. Moralez was playing in just his sixth match of the season (second start) after rupturing his right ACL last September.
–Field Level Media