Montreal stages late rally to salvage draw against D.C. United

CF Montreal staged a dramatic late comeback to secure a 4-4 draw against D.C. United in a Major League Soccer fixture on Saturday night. The result saw the visitors salvage a point after trailing 4-2 heading into stoppage time, with Prince Owusu scoring a penalty four minutes into the added period to set up a final-minute equaliser.

Owusu completed his first MLS hat-trick with the late penalty, which was awarded after he was fouled by Keisuke Kurokawa. The goal marked his ninth of the season and his third in the match. Teenager Hennadii Synchuk, who had substituted into the game in the 67th minute, scored the equaliser two minutes later. Synchuk, 19, netted his first goal of the season and his second in 22 appearances.

D.C. United had appeared to be cruising towards victory, leading 4-2 after Bartlett scored his second goal of the campaign in the 87th minute. The Americans’ lead was built on early dominance, with rookie Louis Munteanu opening the scoring in the ninth minute with an unassisted header off a deflection. Jared Stroud added his first goal of the season in the 28th minute to give D.C. United a two-goal advantage.

For Montreal, Tai Baribo scored his seventh goal of the season from a penalty in the 51st minute, following a foul by Brayan Vera on Lucas Bartlett. Owusu had previously reduced the deficit to 2-1 in the first minute of stoppage time with a long-run finish, and added a second in the 61st minute, assisted by former Red Bulls midfielder Wiki Carmona.

Goalkeeping performances were notable for both sides, with Montreal’s Thomas Gillier, making his 21st career start, recording six saves. D.C. United’s Sean Johnson turned away four shots to help preserve the lead until the final moments. The result leaves D.C. United unbeaten in six straight matches, while Montreal improves to 1-6-1 on the road under interim coach Philippe Eullaffroy. The league will now take a break for the FIFA World Cup, with action set to resume on July 16.