Pyrotechnics, a defeated rival and a trophy at the finish line. CF Montreal ended its season on a high note by winning the Canadian Championship, defeating Toronto FC 1-0 on Sunday at Saputo Stadium.
And who other than Romell Quioto, Montreal’s top scorer this season, to lead his club to victory. At the 72e minute, the Honduran was served by a superb pass from Rudy Camacho from his own zone. Quioto received the ball in the final third, took a few strides, then lobbed the ball over the Toronto goalie. It was 1-0 in a game that the Montrealers had outrageously dominated.
“It was the story of the season,” said head coach Wilfried Nancy via videoconference. We should have scored earlier, but we didn’t. But I had confidence. I told my players at half-time to stay positive, we knew that if we continued to play like this, we were going to have a good chance of scoring. ”
The gathered supporters were still jubilant when Nancy felt he had to make a tactical change. He took out the hero of the locals at 78e, to the cheers of the crowd, and brought Quebecer Samuel Piette into midfield.
“They had made changes so I had to adjust a bit too. Romell was starting to get tired, that’s why Sam came home. We had to change the animation and end the match as we did. ”
It must be said that Romell Quioto deserved this ovation. Holder for the first time since October 2, he had animated the entire offensive of CF Montreal until then.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Romell Quioto (right) scored the only goal of the game.
Toronto FC’s only real chance came in the 90e minute. Goalkeeper Sebastian Breza played luck as he narrowly saved the ball with the tip of his leg. The return, taken by Jordan Perruzza, touched the right post. The CF Montreal would survive the only somewhat sustained pressure from its rival just after.
“You have to talk to his posts, like Patrick Roy, and they will help us,” said the colorful goalkeeper after the meeting.
“I didn’t feel the players were in danger,” added Wilfried Nancy of Toronto’s intensity late in the game. They were in control of the situation. It is normal for the opposition to put more pressure. I felt my players strong. Yes, there was the post. Once again, we brought this luck on the good side. ”
The first half, like the match, was clearly to the advantage of Montreal. Toronto must have been happy to return to the locker room with a score of 0-0, despite a 63% possession rate for the Bleu-blanc-noir.
The Honduran star in particular forced goalkeeper Quentin Westberg to a good stop early in the game. After 12 seconds of play, Quioto received a superb serve from Joaquin Torres and took a shot into the box.
Tell you the intensity put in the Toronto zone by CF Montreal in this match: the locals attempted 22 shots, including 9 on target, against only two shooting attempts for the TFC. The latter did not fit any.
Toronto FC head coach Javier Perez, however, said he was “proud of his players”. “We played a good game, but we lost our focus on one game and paid the price. ”
Mauro Biello, former head coach of the Montreal club and now assistant to the Canadian team, presented the Voyageurs Cup to the winners.
“I have a flowerpot now”
It is rare that we have to highlight the performance of a goalkeeper who has not had to make any save in a game. But Sebastian Breza won the title of the Canadian Championship MVP. He notably scored the game-winning goal against Hamilton Forge in the semifinals.
He was also the first surprised, stressing that he had “no idea” of the reasons for his appointment.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Goalkeeper Sebastian Breza won the player of the tournament title.
“I was very surprised when I was selected, he commented, laughing. We only played three games and I only touched the ball 15 times, not even in those games. But hey, we’ll take it, a price is a price. ”
“I have a flowerpot now,” Breza added dryly.
“Individual prizes are good, but it’s nothing compared to winning trophies as a team. That’s what we play for: to win championships. ”
For now, Breza still belongs to FC Bologna, he who is on loan to CF Montreal. He does not yet know what to expect in 2022.
“My parents live in Montreal so at some point I’ll be here. If you come to see me, you will see me. But when we talk about the Football Club, these are things that are not decided by the players, it depends on the interests of the club and of my own club. ”
This victory allows the Montreal club to qualify for the CONCACAF Champions League for the 2022 season.
CF Montreal now has five Canadian Championships to its name, having won the 2008, 2013, 2014 and 2019 editions.