2:1 New York Montreal Reyes Burke Waterman 05.20.23 · League

For the first time in the Troy Lesesne era, Metro allowed a goal. It was bound to happen. Also, for the first time in the Troy Lesesne era, Metro scored more than a goal. It was bound to happen!? The above describes the entire scoring output of the game, as Metro defeated Montreal 2:1 to keep the new coach unbeaten.

Andres Reyes, Sean Nealis, and Cristian Casseres made their way back from suspension, and their presence was immediately felt. As well as the makeshift defense played in midweek, it made a huge difference to have the starters back. And one of those starters even scored a goal. Metro opened the scoring in the 23rd, off -- what else! -- a John Tolkin right-sided corner. The mulleted defender did not get an assist this time, as the initial feed bounced off a defender, only for Reyes to pounce on the rebound. The visitors tied the game six minutes later on a set piece of their own. A long free kick from the center of the field got past the Metro defense, and was headed in the box and eventually past Carlos Coronel.

In the 38th minute, Metro finally got a VAR call to go their way. After some usually-unseen crisp passing, Cristian Casseres found Cory Burke in the box. The Jamaican rounded the charging keeper and knocked the ball in off a defender. He was initially called offside, but robots overturned it. By scoring two goals, Metro doubled its previous first-half regular-season scoring output.

The second half... there was not much in the second half, as Metro swarmed the midfield and let little through in a dominating defensive performance. Dante Vanzeir did make his return in the 67th minute, provided some good runs on the right side, and, most importantly, kept his mouth shut.

So far, so good for the Lesesne era... It was bound to happen?

Lineup: Coronel, Tolkin, Nealis, Reyes, Nealis, Stroud, Casseres, Yearwood, Carmona, Fernandez, Burke. Subs: Barlow, Vanzeir, Harper, Ndam.