Clearly, high-importance matches, both away and at home, still fail to create a spark within CF Montreal.
Orlando City SC exploded offensively in the first half and dominated the Bleu-blanc-noir by a score of 4-1, Friday night, during the kickoff of the group stage of the Leagues Cup. Clearly, the high-stakes games, both away and at home, still do not create a spark within CF Montréal.
Orlando City SC exploded offensively in the first half and dominated the Bleu-blanc-noir by a score of 4-1, Friday evening, during the kick-off of the group stage of the Leagues Cup.
The Florida squad took advantage of several weak moments to storm Sebastian Breza’s net. They scored three goals in the first half, and another in the second, to leave the Inter&Co Stadium with a very easy victory and first place in East Group 2.
“Orlando wanted it more,” head coach Laurent Courtois simply mentioned after the match.
Now, if CF Montreal wants to continue its run in the tournament, it will absolutely have to “want it more” than the Mexican club Atlético de San Luis, Tuesday evening, at the Saputo stadium.
A victory on Tuesday, in regular season or in a shootout, would put all the pressure on San Luis, who should in turn win at all costs in Orlando on August 4. In return, a Montreal defeat would provide a long vacation of more than three weeks for Courtois’ players.
“Let’s put this game behind us and see if we can present the best version of ourselves at home,” said the head coach. “We will have to solve several defensive deficiencies and find a good state of mind.”
Tonight’s result is a disappointment. I see that we are struggling in execution, in occupying spaces and in some decision-making.
Facundo Torres and Ramiro Enrique both had a goal and an assist for Oscar Pareja’s men, with Dagur Thorhallsson and Martin Ojeda also on target.
“It was a great game for us tonight, in front of our fans,” Pareja said. “We see the evolution we’re looking for in our team. In the first half, we were efficient in scoring. We knew Montreal was going to attack us in the second half and that they were going to give us more space. I’m happy with the result.”
Josef Martinez provided the lone goal for CF Montreal, which has not won on the road since March 10, against Inter Miami CF. During that stretch, it has posted a record of 0-8-4 in all competitions.
Frustration continues to be felt in the Montreal camp, after a home defeat against eternal rival Toronto FC before the start of the Leagues Cup. On Friday, several players showed signs of impatience and unconvincing body language.
“My body language wasn’t the best either,” defender Joel Waterman insisted. “That happens sometimes when there’s frustration of giving up easy goals. I have to be better in my own territory because I’m a leader. I don’t think it’s a tactical issue. When we lose the ball, we’re too open and too spread out. We gave up too much space. It could have been better tonight.”
Breza made his first start since June 1 in Philadelphia, while defenders Tom Pearce and Dawid Bugaj, acquired in recent weeks, played their first match with the Bleu-blanc-noir.
Quebecers Samuel Piette and Jules-Anthony Vilsaint did not make the trip to Orlando.
Demolition work
Orlando City SC didn’t sit back and forth early in the game, coming within feet of opening the scoring in the fifth minute. After Enrique was left behind by defenders, Robin Jansson saw his shot blocked by Breza and Fernando Alvarez near the goal line.
CF Montreal had the opportunity to respond about a minute later, but Mathieu Choinière’s attempt went straight into the hands of goalie Pedro Gallese.
The Floridians then set off and never looked back.
Thorhallsson scored the first goal of the match in the seventh minute when he wrong-footed Breza after the latter had dived to his right to block a shot.
At 36e minute, Cesar Araujo slipped through the Montreal defense and slid a ball to Torres, who finished the move. The goal was initially disallowed for offside, but a lengthy video review ultimately ruled that Enrique was in a legal position.
Orlando City SC struck one last blow before heading to the locker room. Torres took advantage of the visitors’ generosity to pass the ball to Enrique, who found the back of the net.
The same story happened in the second half and Ojeda made it 4-0 with a powerful shot between Breza’s legs in the 57th minute.e minute.
Martinez gave back some pride to the Bleu-blanc-noir in the 69th minutee minute, when he beat Gallese with a good low shot. The goalkeeper got his revenge five minutes later, however, when he saved the Venezuelan’s shot from a penalty.