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FC Cincinnati pulled off a stunning late comeback today, defeating CF Montreal 4-3 in a seven-goal thriller. Down a man since the 60th minute, the Orange and Blue scored twice in stoppage time to complete an improbable upset. Kévin Denkey’s 90+4′ winner capped a dramatic turnaround.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Final Score: FC Cincinnati 4, CF Montreal 3, March 22, 2026
- Comeback: Cincinnati won despite playing down a man from the 60th minute after Miles Robinson’s ejection
- Late Goals: Tom Barlow equalized in the 80th minute, Denkey scored the winner in the 90+4th minute
- Season Context: Cincinnati improved to 2-3-0 (6 points) after losing 5-1 to Tigres UANL just 72 hours prior
Dramatic Stoppage Time Heroics Deliver Unlikely Victory
Substitute Tom Barlow sparked the incredible turnaround with his 80th-minute equalizer. He reacted quickly when Samuel Piette inadvertently poked the ball into a dangerous area. Barlow arrived first and fired a low finish into the net. The 20 minutes prior had been chaotic for Cincinnati. Miles Robinson’s red card in the 60th minute left them a man down.
Then came the moment that will live in Cincinnati lore. Denkey headed home from a long throw-in in the 90+4′ minute. A Montreal defender’s miscued header fell perfectly to the young striker. He poked the ball over the line and ripped off his shirt in celebration. That goal completed one of the league’s best comeback stories of the young season.
FC Cincinnati beats Montreal 4-3 in thrilling comeback, Denkey scores winner
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Montreal Dominated Most of the Match
CF Montreal controlled large stretches and built a 3-2 lead going into the final 20 minutes. Prince Owusu was particularly impressive, scoring two goals, including a penalty in the 45th minute. Wiki Carmona added another for Montreal with a powerful distance shot. The French Canadians looked destined for victory.
However, Montreal continues to struggle with numerical disadvantages. The club has been outscored 4-1 when playing 11 on 10 this season. That weakness proved costly today. Cincinnati’s first goal by Ender Echenique came in the 40th minute. Ayoub Jabbari’s 52nd-minute strike tied the match at 2-2 before Montreal regained the lead.
Match Summary and Scoring Timeline
| Time | Event | Score |
| 4′ | Wiki Carmona goal (MTL) | 0-1 |
| 40′ | Ender Echenique goal (CIN) | 1-1 |
| 45′ | Prince Owusu penalty (MTL) | 1-2 |
| 52′ | Ayoub Jabbari goal (CIN) | 2-2 |
| 60′ | Miles Robinson red card (CIN) | – |
| 60+1′ | Prince Owusu penalty (MTL) | 2-3 |
| 80′ | Tom Barlow goal (CIN) | 3-3 |
| 90+4′ | Kévin Denkey goal (CIN) | 4-3 |
“Denkey’s second league goal completed the comeback less than 72 hours after Cincinnati lost 5-1 to Tigres UANL in Mexico City.”
— Field Level Media, game recap
Robinson’s Ejection Changed the Match Narrative
Referee Filip Dujic sent off Miles Robinson in the 60th minute for a dangerous challenge on Prince Owusu. The official deemed it a foul denying a goal-scoring opportunity. Owusu stepped up immediately and converted the ensuing penalty. Cincinnati faced an uphill battle defending with 10 players.
Yet the resilience shown by the Orange and Blue proved remarkable. Both late goals came from Montreal defensive miscues. Samuel Piette’s poor touch in the 80th minute led directly to Barlow’s equalizer. Two late headers reached Denkey in scoring position. Cincinnati’s desire to battle back never wavered.
What Does This Result Mean for Cincinnati’s Season?
This victory injects critical momentum into Cincinnati’s championship hopes. Bouncing back just 72 hours after an embarrassing 5-1 loss in the Champions Cup shows character. The squad now sits at 2-3-0 with 6 points. Every point matters in MLS’s competitive landscape. Denkey has now scored twice in league play this season.
Montreal falls to 1-4-0 with 3 points after another defeat where their defensive discipline lapsed. The team has real ceiling questions if they continue allowing comebacks when outnumbering opponents. Can Cincinnati’s resilience today spark a winning run? Can Montreal tighten up defensively to avoid future collapses?
Watch: MLS Highlights

Sources
- AP News – Final score and match statistics verified by Associated Press
- Field Level Media – Detailed play-by-play and goal descriptions
- MLS Soccer – Official highlights and match footage











