And Jonathan Sirois who gets up.
In a difficult evening at the office, CF Montreal must say thank you to its goalkeeper. The Quebecer was imperial against the ferocious attack of Real Salt Lake at the Saputo stadium on Saturday evening, and allowed his club to limit the best team in the West to a 0-0 draw.
The Bleu-blanc-noir was very weak on the ball. And although the return of many injured players, including Matías Cóccaro, helped change the shape of the match in the second half, his lack of success with the leather, in general, was glaring.
Luckily, on the other hand, the jailer had perhaps his best evening of the season. Season in which he had not yet reached the level of his 2023 campaign.
He stood like a wall on no less than six big chances for the Utah men.
There were two beautiful saves in quick succession, at the 24e, with a second shot at point blank range. His good block at the 70e, ahead of MLS top scorer Cristian “Chicho” Arango (16 goals). His successes, at the 77e and 79ewhich came to consolidate his very good performance.
His club really needed it. It was more conclusive with the respective entries of Cóccaro, Kwadwo Opoku and Mason Toye, from 61e. What the CFM lacked was the Uruguayan. Absent since mid-April – he missed 11 matches in all competitions – upon his return he demonstrated all his will and his enthusiasm. Perhaps even too much: he received a yellow card two minutes later, after arguing too much in front of the official. Both Opoku and Toye had their chances, but were stopped by RSL’s defense, and their own bad luck.
PHOTO GRAHAM HUGHES, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Dominik Yankov (8) is watched by Emeka Eneli (14)
In the first half, we quickly understood why Real Salt Lake sits at the top of the West. He skillfully kept the leather rolling throughout the period.
On the other hand, Montreal had its chances, the best of which came from the foot of Iankov in the 17th.e. Well served by Duke and Sosa, the midfielder could only send the ball into the arms of goalkeeper Zac MacMath.
Moreover, Montreal played in this half with dangerous excitement in possession, Victor Wanyama overwhelmed in the middle, and a certain inefficiency in the opposing area.
If it is less decimated by injuries today, three of the pillars of the Bleu-blanc-noir are absent due to their assignments with national teams. Ariel Lassiter (Costa Rica), Samuel Piette and Mathieu Choinière (Canada) are at the Copa América for the next few weeks.
Laurent Courtois’ men take over again next Wednesday, against the New York Red Bulls, at the Saputo stadium.