CF Montreal finds itself out of the portrait of the Major League Soccer (MLS) playoffs and if it had been in control in several endings in 2021, it would not be in such disarray.
• Read also: CF Montreal: season ended
• Read also: CF Montreal: at least there is Toronto
A 2-0 loss at the hands of Orlando City SC on Sunday at Stade Saputo sounded the death knell for head coach Wilfried Nancy’s troop. She concluded the campaign at 10e ranked in the Eastern Conference with a total of 46 points, but she could have finished with much more. Indeed, the Montreal club missed precious points at the least opportune moment along the way.
Here is a reminder of a few games that CF Montreal would like to replay:
April 21: CF Montreal 2 – Nashville SC 2
On the lawn of Nissan Stadium, which is also the home of the Tennessee Titans of the NFL, CF Montreal believed they had the game well in their pocket thanks to goals from Mason Toye and Zachary Brault-Guillard in the first half. Romell Quioto could even have made 3 to 0 after returning from the locker room. However, their rivals made a formidable team in the second half of the game and this one proved it. Jhonder Cadiz and Hany Mukhtar took turns scoring to secure a 2-2 draw for local favorites and deprive the opponent of two points that would have been welcome abroad.
Several months later, supporters of the CF can see the consequences.
May 15: CF Montreal 0 – Atlanta United 1
Almost a month later, Nancy and her men had another frustrating endgame. In very hostile territory at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, they had managed to silence a massive crowd of over 40,000 spectators throughout the match … well, practically. Because in the fourth minute of added time in the second half, Marcelino Moreno broke CF’s heart by beating goalkeeper Clément Diop with a header.
“If I had the choice, I would have preferred to take the goal a little earlier,” said the coach of the losers after this fishtail end.
May 21: FC Cincinnati 2 – CF Montreal 1
Confronted with modest FC Cincinnati, which seems to have its number since its debut in 2019, CF has once again found a way to stumble against the team that finished the year last in MLS. Evolving at his temporary home in Fort Lauderdale, the Montreal team had taken the lead thanks to the net of Djordje Mihailovic, but it was without counting on the determination of his opponents. Two goals in just over a quarter of an hour turned a short gain into a very costly loss.
The Ohio club was at an 11e triumph for life; of this total, three were obtained against CF.
June 26: CF Montreal 1 – Nashville SC 1
Decidedly, the CF players have not learned at all the lesson received in Nashville two months earlier. On their next visit, they made the same odd mistake by missing a one-goal priority in stoppage time. Despite the fine efforts of James Pantemis who stole Abu Danladi twice, he was unable to do anything when that- Ci tried his luck on a header in the dying seconds. The club’s inability to close the books was becoming increasingly evident, with its five-goal harvest in its last eight games showing it.
August 4: Atlanta United 2 – CF Montreal 2
Avoiding a two-goal lead at home with less than half an hour to go is hardly excusable. That evening, the CF underestimated the offensive power of a rival betting on Josef Martinez, who started the comeback of his own two minutes after Rudy Camacho had made 2-0. Later, Moreno hurt again in creating a tie on a penalty shot, much to the annoyance of the 15,000 people who came to cheer on their favorites at Stade Saputo, where a larger number of people were finally allowed to enter.
August 21: CF Montreal 1 – Philadelphia 1
Another match, another painful end for the CF. This time it was minutes away from leaving Pennsylvania with three points, but Quinn Sullivan had other plans. His strike from the top of the penalty area found the back of the net in the 87e minute; this was the Union’s only shot on target during the evening.
October 23: CF Montreal 1 – Toronto FC 1
Probably the defining moment of the CF season. Seconds away from leaving BMO Field with the victory – which was necessary in the playoff race – at the expense of nemesis Toronto, he suffered the wrath of Jozy Altidore, always dangerous when playing against Montreal. His shot from a set piece beat Pantemis and took away two points from the CF, who also ended up outside the top 7 in the East.
It remains to be seen if the Montreal club will be able to avenge everything in the final of the Canadian Championship soon.
October 30: CF Montreal 0 c. Red Bulls 1
The CF could improve their situation by slowing down the New York Red Bulls, who had the wind in their sails. In fact, he was successful for 90 minutes … without the added time. In the extra first minute of the second half, Fabio deceived the vigilance of Sebastian Breza to defeat the CF, now holder of the 10e rank. This is where he ended the campaign, while the Red Bulls rushed to the last place giving access to the playoffs in the East.