LCF Montreal started its 2024 season by obtaining a 0-0 draw against Orlando City SC in Florida on Saturday evening.
Laurent Courtois therefore took a point in his first official match at the helm of the Montreal club.
SC were threatening in the penultimate seven minutes of added time – notably Facundo Torres, whose shot was saved by midfielder Ariel Lassiter.
CF managed five out of eight shots on target; Orlando fired very often (19), but it was really five shots that Jonathan Sirois had to face.
CF will play its second match next Saturday evening in Frisco, Texas, against FC Dallas.
SC’s Dagur Thorhalsson redirected a free kick beautifully in the 63rdeSirois having to dive to his right.
CF newcomer Josef Martinez made his debut at 67e minute, for Mattias Coccaro.
He received some boos from the crowd at Inter&Co Stadium, having played last year for Florida rivals Inter Miami.
Six minutes later, CF’s Gabriele Corbo headed away a dangerous cross, shortly before Thorhalsson aimed too high at the far post.
Martinez missed one of the best opportunities of the match, in the 79the. A perfectly measured long pass from Mahala Opoku went to Ruan, who passed it to Martinez. However, he missed his shot to the right of the net.
Orlando placed the ball behind the goal line in the 80theafter a cross from Kyle Smith, but it was offside.
Lassiter and Coccaro scored close together in the fifth minute of the game. Following a corner, it was the visitors’ Bryce Duke who had a chance, but the ball escaped him forward.
Five minutes later, Duncan McGuire missed a header from a Nicolas Lodeiro corner.
Around 15e minute, it was George Campbell who stopped a threat from McGuire.
CF’s Dominic Iankov almost got a breakthrough on the right flank, in the 24ebut it was countered by Ivan Angulo.
At the half-hour mark, Torres had plenty of space, very close to the penalty area, but his pass to the left was a poor choice and the pressure dissipated.
Coccaro received treatment on his left ankle shortly after, following a dangerous tackle from Wilder Cartagena (who also received a yellow card).
Thorhalsson pumped up the crowd in the 37the, finding himself alone in front of Sirois, receiving a long pass. Sirois made the save but the young Icelander was largely offside anyway.
Torres had a good cross on the ground shortly before the half, but the shot was blocked by Joel Waterman.
A little later, Sirois received a header from David Brekalo directly in his hands.
Orlando finished the first half with just one shot on target (out of four), while the visitors were four for six in that aspect.
Orlando City started a 10e campaign in MLS.
Montreal is 5-7-1 in opening matches since the club joined MLS in 2012.