CF Montreal were excluded from a playoff appearance in the MLS Eastern Conference on Sunday at Saputo Stadium following a 2-0 loss at the hands of Orlando City SC.
In front of without a doubt the best crowd of the season in Montreal – the organization did not reveal the attendance figure – Wilfried Nancy’s men played with vigor in this match that they absolutely had to win to extend their season in MLS.
They lost, however, following goals from Sebastian Mendez, his first of the season in the 55th minute, and Daryl Dike, in the 86th minute.e minute against Sebastian Breza.
This second goal was scored when CF Montreal had to make do with 10 players, following a red card awarded to Rudy Camacho on Dike, in the 79e minute.
Moreover, less than five minutes after the visitors’ first net, Romell Quioto believed he had created equality by capitalizing on a quality center from Camacho.
However, the sideline official ruled that Quioto was offside. Although it was tight, we did not call on video assistance at the refereeing to revise the streak, leaving the Montreal team with a setback of one goal.
CF Montreal (12-12-10) therefore completes the season with 46 points, at 10e rank in the Eastern Association. The clubs in the top seven positions qualified for the playoffs.
CF Montreal will try to console themselves by winning the final of the Canadian Championship against Toronto FC. The date and place of this meeting are not yet known.
Exciting game
Friday by videoconference, assistant coach Laurent Ciman noted that the first goal would be of paramount importance.
The players of both teams were undoubtedly aware of this, as they stepped up their attempts, giving spectators an exciting first half.
During these first 45 minutes of play, the two clubs combined their efforts to attempt 13 shots at opposing goalkeepers – six by CF Montreal – including several threatening.
The first came from the foot of Mauricio Pereyra, at the 10e minute, on a free kick that Breza brilliantly repelled by diving to his left.
About six minutes later, CF Montreal missed a golden chance when Sunusi Ibrahim, in front of an almost wide open net, deflected the ball a little too much towards the center of the goal and into the hands of Pedro Gallese.
Joaquin Torres was also frustrated with Gallese at the 21e minute while Breza was saved by his post following a shot from Robin Jansson.
The first goal finally came when Mendez fired a precise shot, from a distance of around 20 yards that beat Breza in the upper right part of the net.
While the Montreal team now needed two goals, their hopes for a comeback took a heavy blow when Camacho received a red card for a tackle against Dike in the central zone.
The latter then planted the last nail in the coffin of CF Montreal.