CS Saint-Laurent brilliantly held off Toronto FC for more than a half at the Claude-Robillard Complex on Wednesday evening. He finally lost 3-0, after a more than honorable performance, in the rain, in front of 6,482 supporters who even released smoke bombs and firecrackers for the occasion.
The atmosphere was special. And the timing was right.
We are talking here about a semi-pro club against an MLS team. Players who train four times a week, some with two jobs on top of that, against international stars. Loïc Kwemi against Matty Longstaff, a former Newcastle player, in the Premier League. Ousama Boughanmi against Jonathan Osorio, pillar of the Canadian selection. Goalkeeper Kosta Maniatis against Federico Bernardeschi, designated player and former Italy player.
Despite everything, St-Lo quickly demonstrated that he was not there to be stepped on. Yes, John Herdman released his B team. Only Longstaff and Osorio, on the starting lineup, are starters in MLS.
The first chance to score came from the Canadian international. His shot, on a return, was blocked on the goal line by defender Nathan Goulet.
Otherwise, both teams had their chances in the first half. Those of the locals made his supporters stand up. Ousama Boughanmi, the powerful midfielder from St-Laurent, demonstrated his know-how. And above all, that despite his 34 years, he would have the profile of a real professional player.
As the match progressed, however, the crowd favorites lacked opportunism. They had chances, but the balls barely found the target.
The Quebecois gratin at the CCR
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
A fan lighting flares during the match.
The evening had all the ingredients to be folkloric. Already, an hour before the match, we had a taste of it by setting foot in the legendary Ahuntsic restaurant La Patate Rouge. We met several media colleagues there, as well as the friendly Justine Longpré, head of the 1642MTL supporters group.
We arrive at the CCR press gallery. Who don’t we meet? Former Impact head coaches, Valerio Gazzola and John Limniatis, in a box. No, they did not want to comment on the situation at CF Montreal. Yes, they were delighted with this great evening for Montreal, Quebec and Canadian soccer.
At halftime, we realize that all the elite of Quebec soccer came to watch this historic meeting. Mauro Biello and his two sons, Gabriele and Alessandro. Vasily Cremanzidis. Olivier Fox. As you have read in our pages, it is impossible for them to speak publicly about their status with the CFM. But their pleasure in attending this meeting was indeed there, we assure you.
The steamroller is essential
We return to our seat in the press gallery. Unfortunately, we cannot sit down. The excited young teenagers in front of us will remain standing throughout the second half. The lines you are reading were written in these circumstances.
Returning from the locker room, TFC put their foot on the accelerator. At the 50e, Longstaff draws in the area, and makes 1-0. We feel this logical opening of the score, and the reaction of the crowd confirms it. Still, 1-0 isn’t catastrophic, right?
The match is played instead eight minutes later. After an action that the crowd and the St-Lo players believe earned them a penalty, TFC seizes the ball on a counter-attack, Deandre Kerr gets rid of a defender, and sends the ball from the area into the net. 2-0.
As if that wasn’t enough, the big gun that is Federico Bernardeschi comes into play in the 65the. At the 76e, his lob free kick surprises everyone, including goalkeeper Maniatis, and goes into the net. 3-0.
A defeat is a defeat. And if the task was already titanic on this Wednesday, it will be exponentially more so next Tuesday, at BMO Field in Toronto.