A pair of late goals ended up giving Montreal a deserved 2-2 draw at home against the Columbus Crew in Friday's MLS action.
In a clash between two of the Eastern Conference's top-six teams, no goals were scored in the first 65 minutes, before Jonathan Mensah broke the deadlock for the visiting team.
Columbus centre-back Mensah was up for an indirect free kick, and after working the ball around to the wing, right-back Steven Moreira's cross found him near the penalty spot where he connected on a perfect looping header back across to the far post.
Just two minutes later, in the 68th, Lucas Zelarayan unleashed a speculative effort from outside the box, which was blocked, but it bounced right back to him for a second crack which would beat the goalkeeper into the bottom-right corner.
That 2-0 lead would hold until the final minutes, but after a red card to Luis Diaz, the 10-men Crew finally got on the scoreboard when Victor Wanyama was able to intentionally deflect a long-range shot to wrong-foot the keeper in the 89th.
With six minutes of stoppage time to survive to get the three points, Columbus could not protect their lead, with Montreal substitute Zachary Brault-Guillard connecting on a low daisy-cutter from outside the box into the bottom-left corner to snatch a draw at the death.
The advanced stats say it was a deserved point for Montreal, who created 2.16 expected goals, while Columbus only had 0.66.
Cairo double sinks Dunbeholden, as Suriname's Robinhood take pole position
Shaquille Cairo scored a pair of goals to lead 2023 Concacaf Caribbean Club Shield winners Robinhood of Suriname to a 2-0 victory against Jamaican side Dunbeholden in Group B action of the 2023 Concacaf Caribbean Cup at Sabina Park on Thursday.
Robinhood now sit atop the group with six points after two games, while Dunbeholden have one point after three matches.
Robinhood raced out to an early 1-0 lead in the 15th when they were able to take advantage of a defensive error from Dunbeholden. The home side failed to clear their lines adequately and a deflected ball up into the air right in front of goal was headed into net by Shaquille Cairo.
Dunbeholden went right to work on finding an equalizer and Stephen Barnett looked poised to do it in the 25th, only for Robinhood goalkeeper Jonathan Fonkel to make a sensational stretch save.
Odane Samuels was next to be turned away on a brilliant save by Jonathan Fonkel, this time on a shot from just a few yards out that the visiting shot-stopper somehow managed to parry to safety in the 34th.
Robinhood absorbed Dunbeholden’s punches and then landed another big blow in the 55th when a cross from Tuur Don met the charging Cairo, who fired into net for a 2-0 Robinhood lead.
The Robinhood defense took over after that, nailing things down to record the clean sheet victory.
Stephen O’Donnell hails boss Stuart Kettlewell as a ‘revelation’ at Motherwell
Motherwell wing-back Stephen O’Donnell feels trust and clarity has been a major part of their success under Stuart Kettlewell.
O’Donnell is enjoying a new lease of life under Kettlewell having regained his place in the team towards the end of last season.
The Scotland international, capped 26 times by his country, went from being club captain under Graham Alexander to being ostracised by the same manager.
The signing of Paul McGinn and then emergence of Max Johnston ensured his spell on the sidelines continued beyond Alexander’s exit two games into last season, although he did make 28 appearances, 15 of them from the start.
But he has been ever-present this season and the team have only lost to St Mirren so far.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s trip to face Rangers at Ibrox, the 31-year-old said: “It was nice to be involved straight away for pre-season. I came back fit, I know it’s a big season for myself, it’s been a difficult couple of seasons.
“I am delighted to be back in. The manager has shown a trust in players, if they do well for him, they will stay in. I must take from that that he is happy with how I’m doing.
“Collectively we are very organised and if you mix that with the quality we have got in the forward areas, you see some lovely combinations and we just look to continue that.
“It was disappointing at the weekend (against St Mirren), but I thought we showed some really good stuff. Frustrating that didn’t lead to a win.”
O’Donnell last played for Scotland in March 2022, but was soon banished from the first-team reckoning by Alexander, although the manager was the one who would soon be leaving.
“It’s just tough not playing,” he said. “Every player in the world has gone through spells of not playing and I went through it there, and at an age I was hoping I would be playing every week.
“Obviously your performances need to merit that but that’s what you are hoping for and it was frustrating, difficult, but that’s nothing new in football.
“I am thankful at the moment I am at the other side but that can change quickly, we have a lot of wing-backs this season. The important thing is trying to play and working hard.
“I am looking forward to the rest of the season with Motherwell and with the manager, he has been a revelation for me.”
Motherwell have not lost an away game in the league in seven months under Kettlewell.
“It’s simple, he gives us a job and trusts us to do a job, and fortunately in the games we have had we have delivered it,” O’Donnell said.
“Paul McGinn came out last week due to suspension, he has arguably been our best player since he signed for the club. Shane Blaney came in and it was pretty much seamless.
“That shows the togetherness, the organisation and clarity everyone has within the club. I think if you ask all of the boys, if they came in they would know exactly what’s expected of them.”
Motherwell could have a stronger squad for the Ibrox clash.
Kettlewell said: “We are hoping to have Conor Wilkinson and Pape Souare training and that might give us an option or two for our squad, but we will have to see over the next couple of days.”
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta praises Ange Postecoglou ahead of Tottenham’s visit
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta praised opposite number Ange Postecoglou’s impact at Tottenham ahead of the north London derby on Sunday.
Postecoglou’s free-scoring Spurs have netted 13 times in five Premier League matches to make an unbeaten start to the top-flight campaign.
And Arteta admitted he is a fan of the Australian, who has positively changed the atmosphere at Spurs despite the summer departure of star striker Harry Kane.
“They have a new challenge, a new opportunity, they have a new manager who is doing really well and he’s managed to change the vibe around the club and with a different style too, so we need to be ourselves and produce the performance to beat them,” Arteta said.
“I really like him. I have players who had him before and they always speak really highly of him, which is not a coincidence because straight away he’s fitting in the right way and that’s the beauty of the league where there are top managers, competition and every game is very difficult.
“The recent year has been beautiful (against Tottenham – Arsenal won twice last season) and it’s about being with our supporters when we manage to win the game and the satisfaction that you give to everyone. It’s a special day for everybody and hopefully we can do that again.
“They have many qualities (despite Kane’s departure) so it’s a big change but they have adapted well to it.”
Goalkeeper David Raya has started ahead of Aaron Ramsdale in Arsenal’s last two games, against Everton and then PSV in the Champions League.
Arteta insisted he understands Ramsdale’s frustration of not starting and highlighted the competition for places which forced a change at number one.
“I understand (his frustration) and it’s very difficult for every player and I suffer and care about every player who’s not playing but this is the competition and this is my job as well to make decisions in the best possible way for the team,” Arteta added.
“He’s been very supportive and good around the place and that’s what I expect from every single player because when you’re on the field there is someone else who’s not so it works both ways. So far he’s been very good.
“It is hard and with other players it’s the same. Aaron (Ramsdale) is an exceptional character and has a charisma and aura around him and we all know that so I fully understand that (why he’s frustrated at being benched), we have to deal with that but I need to make a line-up to prepare for the game.
“I haven’t decided who will start.”
Arteta lauded captain Martin Odegaard after the midfielder signed a new long-term deal at the Emirates.
He said: “He’s got a really good balance (as a captain) and you notice him around the building because he always does the right things, he’s funny and likeable, committed and I’m really happy to have him as a captain.”
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