Paulmin’s performance wasn’t enough as FC Montreal slips in Charlotte

Despite a great performance goalkeeper David Paulmin, FC Montreal suffered a 2-0 loss to the Charlotte Independence. Photo Credit: James Kenneth Studios

FC Montreal goalkeeper David Paulmin’s impressive performance was not enough as the bleu-blanc-noir suffered a 2-0 clean sheet against the Charlotte Independence Friday night. Goals by Charlotte forward Danny Jackson and midfielder Alex Martinez were enough to snap Montreal’s three-game winning streak.

The Montrealers had a chance to catch up with the Independence and get closer to a spot above the playoff line with a win in North Carolina. Instead, the bleu-blanc-noir remain tenth in the USL’s Eastern conference with a total of 14 points.

Despite having only score one goal in the past three games, the Independence came out very strong in the first half. The Montrealers also had someone who came out strong, Paulmin showed he had lost nothing from the game played against Toronto FC II only three days ago.

The native of Sainte Therese made saves worthy of the USL’s save of the week for a second time in four days. For the first 29 minutes, Paulmin dealt with the chances his team gave the opposition but as soon as the timer switch to 30, Montreal conceded. The bleu-blanc-noir keeper finally conceded a shot from the right side by Jackson who beat him on the far side.

FC Montreal reacted by playing with urgency, not their best type of soccer, and this resulted to nothing. The scoreboard at the half read 1-0 to the North Carolinians and the bleu-blanc-noir happily took the break to try and regroup.

Despite a good shot from Victor N’Diaye who tested Charlotte’s goalkeeper Matt Lampson, the pressure was still on Paulmin who needed to make another key save on midfielder Enzo Martinez from the penalty spot.

Head coach Philippe Eullaffroy made a savvy substitution by putting target man Charles Joly and fullback Zachary Sukunda on the pitch. This gave a momentum boost to FC Montreal and many opportunities were going their way. However, the ones who did connect with goal were not dangerous enough to get past Lampson.

Alex Martinez (left) scored the goal to burry FC Montreal’s hopes. Photo Credit: WM Brown Photography

The momentum shifted back to the hosts and at the 86^th minute, a one-two pass from midfielder Carlos Alvarez to Alex Martinez sealed all three points for the Independence. Paulmin, helped by Sukunda helped the team by denying a third goal but it was too little too late for Eullaffroy’s squad to leave Charlotte without a loss.

After having played two games in four days, FC Montreal will be able to take a breather as the team’s next game will be on Saturday August 1^st where they will visit the Charleston Battery at Blackbaud Stadium.