CF Montreal tried everything late in the game, but lost 1-0 to the New York Red Bulls on Wednesday night at Stade Saputo.
The Bleu-blanc-noir had the opportunity to set three team records during this duel, but he was regularly pressed by his opponents and he made several unusual errors in recent weeks.
Even though they saw their eight-game unbeaten streak come to an end, CF Montreal (15-9-4) clung to the exclusivity of the second tier of the Eastern Conference. He did, however, see the Philadelphia Union extend their lead at the top of the East to eight points.
For their part, the Red Bulls (13-8-8) took advantage of this victory to claim third place in the East and came within two points of CF Montreal.
New Yorkers top scorer Lewis Morgan broke the deadlock in the 43rde minute thanks to its 13e countryside fillet. The Red Bulls have gone unbeaten in their last four outings (3-0-1) and they became the 11e team in MLS history to amass 30 points on the road in one season (9-3-3).
The Montreal team announced before the game that midfielder Lassi Lappalain would be absent due to an adductor injury. Rudy Camacho (right shoulder), Zorhan Bassong (COVID-19 protocol) and Ismaël Koné (suspension) also missed the call.
CF Montreal will return to action on Sunday when they visit Toronto FC.
Few occasions
Both teams played a game of chess in the first 20 minutes of the match and very little action found the penalty area. The game then came to life on both sides.
Joaquin Torres got CF Montreal’s first scoring opportunity when he was patient with the ball before just missing the target with his left-footed shot.
Red Bulls striker Elias Manoel also knocked on the door twice, but his low shots were denied by goalkeeper James Pantemis.
Minutes after Carlos Coronel stopped a shot from a tight angle by Romell Quioto, the New Yorkers opened the scoring. Cristian Casseres junior slipped a superb ball between two CF Montreal players and Morgan recovered it. His small lob went over Pantemis and he found the back of the net.
The visitors threatened after half-time, forcing Pantemis to make a fine save. CF Montreal struggled to keep the ball in their penalty area and Casseres fired a powerful shot that Pantemis stopped by diving to his left.
With their unbeaten streak on the line, the Montrealers stepped up the pressure in the final quarter of an hour. At the 76e minute they passed within feet of equalizing, but Mason Toye missed a golden chance following a cross from Quioto.
In the last minutes, the Red Bulls managed to close the gaps to confirm their victory.