CF Montreal ended a week as unpredictable as it was emotional with a lackluster performance on Saturday at Stade Saputo. Despite a clear dominance, they had to settle for a 2-2 draw against Inter Miami CF.
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In the most grueling streak of its calendar, CF Montreal gave in to fatigue. With a one-goal lead for the overwhelming majority of the match, he slowed down and lacked opportunism at the end of the duel.
“Yes, it’s a draw with the flavor of defeat, recognized Samuel Piette after the meeting. At the same time, we remain 10 points from the playoffs and we remain undefeated [à nos] last five games. You have to take a step back and see the positive side, because there is a big stretch to come for the end of the season. »
Colombian Emerson Rodriguez took advantage of a moment of confusion from the Montreal defensive squad in the penalty area in the 79th minute to tie the score and leave a sour taste in the mouths of the crowd favorites.
Full control
For nearly 40 minutes of play, CF Montreal dictated the pace of the match, but multiplied the unfinished actions, to the chagrin of head coach Wilfried Nancy.
“We could have been sharper, yes, noted the French driver. The idea was perhaps to play a little more instinctively and finish our actions. »
“We faced a good team with good football players. We had difficulty getting into place because we didn’t keep the ball enough. »
Going on a rollercoaster
Although the Montreal club failed to sell out for the third time in a row, the 18,007 fans who were in the game got their money’s worth, particularly in the first quarter of the match.
The excitement gave way to euphoria from the fifth minute of play. Piette served one of his best stints of the season to Romell Quioto in the penalty area, and the Honduran international went there with a nice aerial maneuver with the left foot to open the mark.
Heavy legs after these early festivities, the Montreal eleven did not have time to blink before seeing the formidable Higuain reduce the supporters to silence. While the house announcer announced the details of the first success of the meeting, Inter Miami celebrated and Nancy was in all her states in front of the bench of the hosts, dissatisfied with the inconstancy of hers.
Quioto didn’t really have a say in his team’s historic comeback against the Columbus Crew in midweek. This seems to have stung him, so much so that he completed his double in the 21st minute of play, thanks to a “penalty” awarded by the video assistance to the arbitration.
►Moreover, CF Montreal will not be able to count on one of its most consistent players since the start of the season in the next duel, next Saturday against the Houston Dynamo. Due to an accumulation of yellow cards, defender Joel Waterman will miss a game.