CF Montréal Defeats Red Bulls 2-0: Owusu & Carmona Score
CF Montréal began their MLS season with a 2-0 victory over the New York Red Bulls, fueled by a first-half penalty and a late goal from midfielder Wikelman Carmona. The win provides an immediate boost for a team looking to build on last year’s acquisition of Designated Player Iván Jaime.
The breakthrough came early, in the fourth minute, when Jaime was brought down in the penalty area by Red Bulls defender Justin Che. After review, the referee awarded a penalty, which Prince Owusu calmly converted, sending New York goalkeeper Ethan Horvath the wrong way. It was Owusu’s 13th goal in 2025, signaling his continued threat in front of goal.
New York responded quickly, testing Montréal goalkeeper Thomas Gillier just a minute later with a left-footed strike from Emil Frosberg. Gillier was equal to the task, diving to his right to make the save. The Red Bulls continued to press, creating further opportunities in the 28th and 29th minutes. Gillier again intervened, denying a chance for 16-year-vintage Adri Mehmeti, before defender Tomas Aviles cleared a dangerous ball from the Montréal area.
Montréal attempted to extend their lead in the 30th minute, but Dagur Thorhallsson’s right-footed shot was blocked by Che, the same player responsible for the earlier penalty.
Mehmeti had another opportunity to level the score late in the first half, heading Matthew Dos Santos’ corner kick over the crossbar. That missed chance proved costly for New York as Montréal doubled their advantage just before halftime.
Carmona, facing his former team, scored with a low, left-footed shot from a free kick, capitalizing on the opportunity to put the game firmly in Montréal’s favor. The goal highlighted Carmona’s ability to deliver in key moments and provided a significant psychological advantage heading into the second half.
The second half saw a chance for a former Montréal player, Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty, now with the Red Bulls, to pull one back. His right-footed shot from outside the box was deflected by Montréal defender Brayan Vera, preventing a potentially dangerous situation.
The victory marks a positive start to the season for CF Montréal, particularly given the integration of new players like Jaime. The Spanish midfielder, acquired on loan from FC Porto with an option to buy, is expected to be a key creative force for the team. The loan is set to last until , with a potential permanent transfer that would witness him contracted through , with option years extending to .
CF Montréal’s managing director, Luca Saputo, expressed his satisfaction with Jaime’s arrival, stating that his “profile and qualities are fully in line with the sporting vision we seek to build within our Club.” He further emphasized Jaime’s “technical talent and ability to make a difference in the offensive third” as valuable additions to the team.
Jaime’s journey to Montréal includes a successful stint with Famalicão in Portugal’s Primeira Liga, where he was named Young Player of the Year in 2022-23 after scoring 11 goals and providing five assists. He then moved to FC Porto in August 2023, appearing in 44 games and contributing five goals and two assists before a loan spell with Valencia CF in early 2025.
The win against New York provides a solid foundation for Montréal as they navigate a competitive MLS season. The team will glance to build on this momentum and establish themselves as a force in the Eastern Conference. The performance of Jaime, alongside established players like Owusu and Carmona, will be crucial to their success.