FT: NYCFC 1, Montreal 2

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82’: Talles Magno and Jesus Medina are on. They need to provide a big spark tonight.

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73’: Some awful defending gifts Montreal the go-ahead tally. This ain’t pretty. Montreal lead 2-1.

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63’: NYCFC don’t look bad. But not great either. Every time they get into the final third, the final product isn’t there.

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The second half is underway! Can City break the tie and go ahead?

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HT: NYCFC and Montreal are level at 1-1.

It seemed to be all City for a while there. Unfortunately, one mistake has proven costly and have given the former Impact a lifeline in this one. Ronny needs to rally the troops and maybe even give the people some Thiago action.

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40’: Sebastien Ibeagha gives away a penalty to Montreal. He’s been getting burned all night, and it finally caught up to him.

Toye steps up to take it and... makes it. We’re tied 1-1.

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29’: GOOOOOOOOOAAALLL!!! City are first to strike!

Ismael Tajouri-Shradi displays great skill to beat his marker down the right flank. The Libyan squares the ball for Keaton Parks who guides it into the net and puts the good guys at a 1-0 advantage.

1-0 NYCFC!

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25’: NYCFC are granted a gift with a defensive turnover from Montreal, but Keaton Parks can’t gauge the power on his pass and it falls harmlessly to the keeper

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13’: Big save from Barraza! Montreal get another quality chance 1-v-1, but City’s young keeper holds strong.

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1’: It seemed that Montreal had a super start to this one. But their early goal was waved off due to offside.

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We’re off in... Orlando? Oh well, LET’S GO!!!!

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Rosters are out! NYCFC stick with a lineup that is mostly unchanged from last time out other than mandatory changes due to international duty. Luis Barraza earns his first-ever MLS start in net in replace of Sean Johnson while Sebastien Ibeagha replaces James Sands at center back. The only true tactical change sees Keaton Parks start next to Cacha Acevedo, whereas last time out, City went with Alfredo Morales.

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Rosters

New York City FC Starting XI:

• Suspended: None
• Suspended after next caution: None
• International Duty: Alex Callens, Sean Johnson, James Sands
• Injury Report:
• OUT: Heber (knee)

CF Montreal Starting XI:

• Suspended: None
• Suspended after next caution: Kiki Struna, Rudy Camacho
• International duty: Samuel Piette, Kamal Miller, Romell Quioto
• Injury Report: N/A

Referees: Marcos de Oliviera (referee); Andrew Bigelow, Jose da Silva (assistant referees); Tori Penso (4th official); Malik Badawi (VAR)

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How To Watch

Match date & time: July 7, 2021, 7:30 PM ET

Venue: Exploria Stadium, Orlando, FL

Online streaming: YES App, ESPN+ (out of market)

TV: YES

Local radio: NYCFC.com/radio

The story: It’s been 10 days since New York City FC’s triumphant 2-1 comeback win over D.C. United. And one could only think that the Boys in Blue are licking their chops for this week’s road game against the newly rebranded CF Montreal.

Due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, Montreal has had to play their home games in the Sunshine State of Florida, a long way from their usual home in the Quebec province of Canada. And while the former Impact haven’t been too bad down south — posting a 2-1-2 (W-L-D) record at Exploria Stadium — NYCFC are on a good run of form and have all the momentum going their way.

As it stands, NYCFC are 5th in the Eastern Conference with a record of 5-3-2 (W-L-D), good for 17 points, and are only 2 points off of the 3rd place Philadelphia Union with two games in hand. A win tonight would all but confirm that City are among the top contenders in the East. Conversely, Montreal are currently 8th in the East with 16 points, one spot off of playoff contention. A win for the Impact could theoretically send them as high as 4th place.

Expect a hotly contested matchup as both teams look to maintain the pace of their rivals.

This post will update with highlights and information as we receive it.