If CF Montreal had a message to pass on to the league before entering the playoffs, it couldn’t find a better way to speak for it.
Posted at 4:55 p.m.
Updated at 5:05 p.m.
The Montreal XI annihilated Inter Miami, at home, winning 3-1 on the decisive day of MLS. A match whose conclusion was no longer in doubt after only eight minutes of play.
This victory was not enough to steal the first place in the Eastern Conference from the Philadelphia Union, which also won against Toronto. At the same time, Orlando City came from behind against the Columbus Crew to win and take seventh place. The Lions have thus become the opponents of CF Montreal in the post-season tournament which will begin next weekend.
We are still waiting, at the time of publication, for the official schedule of this one.
PHOTO RICH STORRY, USA TODAY SPORTS
Samuel Piette of CF Montreal and Robert Taylor of Inter Miami
A tangible difference
The only upheavals in Florida came in the very first minutes of the match. But Montreal responded quickly. From the 5e minute, Ismaël Koné, used in a much more forward position on the field, intervened in front of goalkeeper Drake Callender, wisely put his foot on the ball in front of the net and handed it to Djordje Mihailovic. The American only had to thread the needle in front of an open net.
Three minutes later, Mihailovic confirmed his beautiful scale found in this meeting. He slotted through three Miami defenders, then sent the ball to Lassi Lappalainen on the left. This fine combination doubled CFM’s lead.
We then witnessed the chasm that separates the two teams in 2022. Ball at the foot, Montreal was under no pressure. So much so that he found a way to put the Florida defense to sleep.
At the 36e, after one of these long quiet offensive sequences, Victor Wanyama answered the call of Kei Kamara, alone in the lead. The defensive midfielder, camped in his area, spotted his striker in his favorite position, just on the edge of offside. He sent the ball through two lines, right through the legs of the tall Sierra Leonean. Sudden change of pace: he sprinted and, compass in his eye, scored 3-0.
PHOTO RICH STORRY, USA TODAY SPORTS
Kei Kamara of CF Montreal surrounded by Damion Lowe and Indiana Vassilev of Inter Miami
Historic season
Inter Miami didn’t offer much better opposition in the second half. His only goal came from the foot of Joel Waterman, an unfortunate own goal that deprived CFM of a rare shutout.
Besides, if it’s the same version of this team that makes it to the playoffs, it won’t get very far. It must be said that she had played in the middle of last week and that her place in the post-season tournament was already assured.
Twenty wins in 34 games this season. Only one defeat since July 16. Including 7 consecutive wins abroad. This CF Montreal has just completed the best season in its history in MLS. Its good form at the end of the calendar allows it to envisage great things in the coming weeks.
See you in the playoffs.