2025-08-01, 06:52 AM - Word count:
Montreal United vs North Shore United 
2-1A game between Montreal and NSU is always a good watch. For a long time these two teams were the only favorites for the title every season but that has changed recently. Paris won the season last time while Kaapstad and Seoul are just as good. With the rise of Krung Thep as well, it looks like anyone from 1st to 5th can win the league.
Montreal came into this game with a classic 4-2-3-1, a style they use very often. Muuno in goal with Clarke, King, Xavier and D. Skovgaard forming the back four. The double pivot was A. Skovgaard and Millwall while the three behind the striker were Power, Sinclair and Takahashi. The lone striker up front was Dobrić. Mizukana and Maeddisen on the bench.
North Shore united also came into this game with a 4-2-3-1. Mobek in goal with Bahl, Chicken, Gibraltar and Warrick forming the back four. The double pivot were Mitidiero and Derbatov while the three behind the striker were James, Summers and Rashford III. The lone striker up top was Banana while Knezevic and O'Sullivan were on the bench.
First Half:
7th-8th minute
This is going to be a difficult game to write about, not because nothing happened but rather because both teams had very similar plans that they executed well. Regardless, moments still happen like this one. The action started with a free kick from Clarke but that would be cleared from NSU's box easily. After a bunch of knocking around, the ball would find itself with Dina. Dina would pass to Power who saw a channel for Aleksandr to run into. Power made the pass and Aleksandr made the run. Seeing the dangerous position, Gibraltar made the decision to rush at Aleksandr. He mistimed his tackle and Aleksander was able to draw a foul inside the box. A VAR check wasn't even necessary. Aleksandr would give the ball to Predrag as he was the chosen penalty taker and he would send Mobek into another dimension with how poorly he dived. Securing his 5th goal of the season. 1-0 Montreal.
A few more chances would happen, some quite good, but the score line wouldn't change for the rest of the half.
Second Half:
No substitutions were made.
50th-51st minute
James was fouled about 2 meters outside the box and NSU were given a direct free kick. James stepped up to take it. Now, with so many NSU player lined up in the box, as well as there being a wall in front of him, most expected James to cross. Clearly these people were not yet introduced to the term "Hold my beer" as James proceeded to blast that sucker off the bar and into the net with precision that would make Simo Hayha blush. This was actually James's first goal this season. 1-1 Game on.
61st minute
Now to be honest, Montreal were the more dominant team the whole game. But the score only reflected 1-1. NSU would have probably settled with this score as they really didn't enter this match with as much momentum as Montreal did. Yet, the gods of football have a sense of humor. Denis would make a simple routine pass to Gibraltar. Gibraltar would then pass to Mitidiero who'd do a one-two. Gibraltar would now make his second bad decision of the day as he would try to pass to Derbitov instead of...you know ANYONE ELSE. Seemingly oblivious to the fact there was a Power in front of him. Who would naturally intercept the pass and immediately send a through ball to Predrag. Dobrić would get past Chicken with ease and then slot it into the bottom right corner with precision. Getting a brace and his 6th goal of the season. 2-1 Montreal.
A few more chances would happen, once again mostly to Monreal, but nothing would come from then and the score would end with 2-1.
Player of the match: Predrag Dobrić
Two goals from four shots. Granted one was a penalty and the other a defensive mistake. Regardless, strikers are made in those moments. You have to make use of them and he did.
Match to forget: Rokuv Gibraltar
Yikes. Gave away both goals. A hasty foul that gifted a penalty and a poor pass that was intercepted. The score doesn't show the full picture as Gibraltar was crucial in defending the many chances Montreal had to widen their lead but you can't overlook these events when looking at a defender.
Well folks, that was my review of matchday three for Montreal. A very good start to the season and a dominant performance that was a bit closer than it needed to be at times. I'll try my best to speed up my writing to possibly get to the current games but no promises.
This article was written by Predrag Dobrić and sponsored by Montreal United.
![[Image: wjZShPO.png]](https://i.imgur.com/wjZShPO.png)
