CF Montreal suffered in the second half, but snatched a 0-0 draw at Charlotte FC on Saturday night at Bank of America Stadium.
As he had to do during his 1-0 victory against Nashville SC on Wednesday night, the Bleu-blanc-noir tried to be hermetic in his last third, but this time it was to keep a precious point abroad.
True to form since the beginning of the campaign, goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois stood out by making four saves. Above all, he inspired confidence in his teammates as Charlotte FC (6-8-6) increased the pressure.
CF Montreal (8-9-2) has gone undefeated in its last three outings (2-0-1), but above all it maintained its eighth place in the Eastern Conference, two points ahead of its opponents of the evening.
On the side of Charlotte FC, he has not won in his last five games (0-2-3), since May 27. His last home victory dates back to May 17, against the Chicago Fire.
The Montreal troops were without defenders Aaron Herrera and Zachary Brault-Guillard, who were selected by their respective teams for the Gold Cup, and midfielders Mathieu Choinière and Lassi Lappalainen, both injured.
CF Montreal will return to Stade Saputo next Saturday to host New York City FC.
Sirois gives nothing
Both teams showed a lot of energy in the first half, but several attacks stopped short of the penalty area.
Charlotte FC managed to approach the Montreal net thanks to a long cross in the direction of Justin Meram, which attracted two players before returning to the right of the box to Enzo Copetti. The Italian, however, lacked execution and weakly headed the ball off target,
Moments later, at the 12e minute, Bryce Duke joined Sunusi Ibrahim, left alone between the defenders. His shot, however, was blocked with the leg by goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina.
At the 27e minute, Meram was again involved in a golden opportunity. Taking advantage of Ariel Lassiter’s largesse on the right flank, the Charlotte FC midfielder fired a hard shot that Jonathan Sirois blocked with his right hand.
Duke also tried his luck following a scramble by Kahlina in the 36th minute. The CF Montreal player, however, sent the ball over the net.
The home side were incisive early in the second half, but it was Hernan Losada’s men who knocked on the door in the 52nd minute. Duke was going alone towards the opposing net when he was pushed from behind by Kerwin Vargas, who received a yellow card. On the free kick well placed in front of the penalty area, Gabriele Corbo curved his shot just to the right of the net.
The North Carolina squad replied 13 minutes later. George Campbell poorly controlled Sirois’ pass and the counter-attack was immediate. Karol Swiderski tried a low shot from the entrance to the penalty area, but the Bleu-blanc-noir goalkeeper did not have to move to fend off the ball.
Sirois also had to report to the 79e minute. Vargas’ long curling ball was deflected off target with a right hand by the Montrealer.