Fabio scored a dramatic game-winner during second-half stoppage time to deliver the New York Red Bulls a 1-0 victory over CF Montréal, moving them – at least temporarily – into the Eastern Conference's Audi MLS Cup Playoff places after Saturday's game at Red Bull Arena.
With his team minutes away from having to settle for a disappointing home draw, Fabio's late-headed finish off a feed from second-half substitute Caden Clark put RBNY in position to solidify a playoff spot during their final two regular-season matches of the 2021 MLS campaign.
The match was open early, as the sides swapped a pair of huge chances. RBNY nearly opened the scoring shortly after kickoff through a shot from Wikelman Carmona that forced Montréal backstop Sebastian Breza into a reaction save. Montréal then almost found the go-ahead goal on the other end after Sunusi Ibrahim got in behind RBNY's defense and put his shot on target, but saw it denied by Carlos Coronel's kick save.
Montréal charged onto the front foot, but RBNY created the next-best look just shy of the half-hour mark. Kyle Duncan started the sequence with an alert interception deep into Montréal's half, before Sean Davis found Patryk Klimala for a wide-open shot. Breza was up to the task, denying the Polish striker's close-range effort.
RBNY appeared reinvigorated coming out of the halftime locker room, going inches from finding an opener in the 68th minute on a chance spearheaded by Clark. Cristian Casserres Jr. collected a feed from the 18-year-old and smashed a shot from atop the area that seemed bound for goal, only to deflect off the post.
A scoreless finish seemed inevitable, but Fabio ensured that wouldn't be the case, flicking home the game-winning header after Clark nodded Klimala's deep cross back across goal.
Goals
- 90'+1' - RBNY - Fabio | WATCH
Three Things
- THE BIG PICTURE: In a situation where a scoreless draw wouldn't have done them much good, RBNY can breathe a sigh of relief thanks to the late drama. A lot can still change on an airtight Eastern Conference table, but RBNY have given themselves a fighting chance to complete their resurgence and reach a 12th straight postseason. On the other side, it's not a death blow for Montréal, but their own playoff hopes are on tenuous ground heading into their final two matches.
- MOMENT OF THE MATCH: It may have arrived later than head coach Gerhard Struber would have liked, but Fabio's winner flipped RBNY's outlook from a disappointing draw to a crucial result.
- MAN OF THE MATCH: Caden Clark created both of RBNY's biggest chances in the second half after subbing on, first through Casserres' shot that went off the post and then with a headed assist on the late game-winner.
Next Up
- RBNY: Wednesday, November 3 vs. Atlanta United | 7:30 pm ET (MLS LIVE on ESPN+)
- MTL: Wednesday, November 3 vs. Houston Dynamo FC | 7:30 pm ET (MLS LIVE on ESPN+)
