Tai Baribo continued his devastating form on Friday night with a brace in Philadephia Union’s 2-0 Round of 32 victory over CF Montréal to knock the Canadians out of Leagues Cup. Last season’s inaugural third-place finishers are building another impressive campaign in 2024 with advancement to the Round of 16.
The Union took control of possession at home from the opening kickoff as the visitors attempted to hit on the counterattack throughout the first half. Unsurprisingly, that trend led to a higher volume of shots for Philadelphia but the first big chance came in transition for Montréal.
The only three-time MLS Goalkeeper of the Year, Andre Blake, was forced to produce a massive one-on-one save to deny Bryce Duke the opening goal following a slicing give-and-go combination with Matías Cóccaro. CFMTL goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois answered with a crucial save of his own to stop Sam Adeniran’s shot after he was slipped through by an exquisite Quinn Sullivan pass in the 25th minute.
Just when it seemed goalkeeping would be the story of the opening stanza, Union found the breakthrough to capitalize on their domination with the last kick of the half.
As the ball was floated wide to fullback Kai Wagner, Adeniran spotted an intelligent run into the halfspace, turning his defender once on the ball and releasing his shot. Sirois got his hands up to stop the shot but wasn’t able to prevent the rebound from falling to the feet of Baribo to tap in for his sixth goal in as many games.
1-0 Philadelphia into the changing rooms.
Possession flipped into the visitor’s favor in the second half as CFMTL chased an equalizer but they were unable to create the same threatening opportunities Union had in the first half. Second-half substitute Dominik Yankov enjoyed the best chance for Montréal but put his 81st-minute shot wide as his team’s chances dwindled.
Baribo put the dagger in Montréal’s heart with his second stoppage-time goal of the match in 90+7’ to ensure the only Canadian team remaining in the tournament was sent home.
Philadelphia head coach Jim Curtin said he did not want a high-scoring game at Subaru Park and got exactly what he wished for as the Union held on for the 2-0 victory. The Union now advance to the Leagues Cup Round of 16 where they head on the road for the first time in the club’s Leagues Cup history for a major MLS Eastern Conference clash against reigning Supporters’ Shield winners FC Cincinnati.
