By dominating at the end of the match, CF Montreal managed to score and escape with a draw against the Vancouver Whitecaps. The match ended with a score of 1-1.
In front of a packed house, CF Montreal remained conservative at the start of the game. Facing strong opposing pressure on its defense, the Montrealers multiplied short passes. But quickly, the relentless pressure from the British Columbians put spokes in the Montrealers’ wheels.
Vancouver moved down the flanks, grazing the end line, placing several dangerous passes into the penalty area. When these plays were blocked, they often resulted in corner kicks. In the first half, Montreal allowed 7, which the defense responded to brilliantly.
PHOTO ERIC BOLTE, USA TODAY SPORTS VIA REUTERS CON
The Whitecaps put pressure on the Montreal defense in the first half
However, things went wrong on the 29th.e minute. Victor Wanyama, back in the starting lineup, let his man run down the flanks. In central defense, Fernando Alvarez couldn’t cut off the pass. It all ended with a marking error by Joaquin Sosa, who let Brian White put the ball behind goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois.
Montreal adapted their offense early in the second half. They tried to give the Whitecaps a taste of their own medicine, taking their attack to the periphery, launching the attack deep. The strategy ended up paying off. In the 79the minute, Ruan went for a perfect lob that the striker Matias Coccaro put into the goal with his head.
Victor Wanyama was starting a match for only the third time this season. He wore the captain’s armband, which had been reserved for Quebec’s Nathan Saliba since Samuel Piette left for the Copa América.
PHOTO ERIC BOLTE, USA TODAY SPORTS
Matias Coccaro scored the equalizer
The Kenyan had caused controversy on June 19 by refusing to wear the armband when he came on as a substitute in a match between Montreal and the New York Red Bulls. Wanyama was eventually taken off the match in the 61st minute.e minute. Saliba then inherited the armband again.
With this draw, CF Montreal improves its record to 8-11-5 against the Whitecaps. In the last duel between the two teams, in the Canadian championship, the Montrealers lost by a score of 2-1.
CF Montreal will play its next match in a week, at Saputo Stadium, where it will face Atlanta United.
More details to come