A spectacular save by Jonathan Sirois set the stage for the game’s only goal and CF Montreal shut out Inter Miami CF 1-0 on Saturday night at Stade Saputo.
Only minutes after Sirois had blocked a close-range shot from Corentin Jean, Ariel Lassiter served a high-quality cross to Chinonso Offor, who netted the winning goal.
In this reunion match for Bryce Duke and Lassiter, who were acquired from the Florida team more than a month ago in return for Kamal Miller, CF Montreal (6-8-0) ended a streak of two losses in MLS.
The Bleu-blanc-noir, which temporarily climbed to eighth place in the Eastern Conference, also recorded a fourth straight victory at home. He hasn’t conceded a goal in front of his fans since April 15 against DC United.
Inter Miami CF (5-9-0) suffered a third straight defeat in MLS. He has lost six of his seven away games since the start of the campaign.
Used as a starter for a 16e game in a row, Mathieu Choinière was at a 100e career appearance with the Montreal team.
CF Montreal will return to action on Wednesday night when they visit DC United.
Sirois stands out
The Montrealers dictated the pace in the opening minutes of the game, storming into enemy territory with several quick attacks.
Offor, Duke and Sunusi Ibrahim had some attacking connections while wingers Lassi Lappalainen and Aaron Herrera served them good balls. Despite a good number of shots on goal, however, none hit the frame.
The visitors also had their moments near the Sirois net, especially in the last 15 minutes of the first half. The best chance came from the foot of Robert Taylor, who just missed the target in the 37e minute.
Sirois was able to report to the 51e minute. After Leonardo Campana had put the ball back in the center of the penalty area, the Quebec goalkeeper dove to his left to fend off a shot from Jean.
His teammates rewarded him less than two minutes later. Lassiter fired a perfect cross for Offor, who shook off Franco Negri’s cover before reaching out with his right foot to open the scoring.
Sirois once again made a key save, with a free kick from Negri in the 78e minute, but he also had luck on two occasions. At the 87e minute, a violent shot from Nicolas Stefanelli hit the horizontal bar while Benjamin Cremaschi saw his shot stop against the post, in stoppage time of the second half.
CF Montreal was hot late in the game, but they were able to close the books to register the victory.