Whitecaps 1 – CF Montreal 1 | A draw in two halves

By dominating at the end of the match, CF Montreal managed to score and leave with a draw against the Vancouver Whitecaps. The match ended with a score of 1-1.

As the season progresses, we discover more of CF Montreal’s two personalities. His bland side and his frosty side. His amorphous, lenient face, and his other, more combative, dominant one. Sometimes, we seem to see Professor Quirrell, and others, Voldemort.

On Saturday, the Montrealers waited 45 minutes to remove the scarf that hid their dominant face. This wait ultimately cost them the victory.

“The guys are choosing a half,” head coach Laurent Courtois summarized in a post-match press conference. “I’m still hopeful that it clicks.”

“As a group we have to dominate the other team from the start of the game and not wait until half-time,” added defender George Campbell.

In front of a packed house, CF Montreal remained cautious in the first half. Navigating with strong opposing pressure, the Montrealers multiplied short passes. But quickly, the British Columbians’ restarts began to put spokes in the wheels of the Bleu-blanc-noir.

Vancouver moved down the flanks, skimming the end line, putting several dangerous passes into the penalty area. When those plays were blocked, they often resulted in corner kicks. In the first half, Montreal allowed seven, which the defense responded to brilliantly.

However, things went wrong on the 29th.^e minute. Victor Wanyama, back in the starting lineup, let his man slip. In central defense, Fernando Álvarez could not cut off the pass. It all ended with a marking error by Joaquín Sosa, who let Brian White put the ball behind goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois.

The Redemption of Zorro

Montreal adapted their offense early in the second half. They tried to get back at the Whitecaps, leading their attack on the perimeter, launching deep passes. The strategy ended up paying off.

Fifteen shots. Seventy-five percent possession. Three hundred and thirty-five passes completed. They’ll have been buzzing throughout the second half.

At 79^e minute, Ruan went for a perfect cross that the striker Matías Cóccaro put into the goal with a header.

This goal will certainly do good to the one nicknamed Zorro. The Uruguayan had been left out on June 22, against the Colorado Rapids. He was then punished for his recent outbursts of rage during training. In the two following matches, including tonight, Cóccaro entered the match in the second half.

It remains to be seen whether he has done enough to hope for a starting role in the next match. Coach Laurent Courtois was sparing with his praise. “We all want to see our players succeed,” he commented soberly. “You have to put in the work every day, you have to work, you have to persevere, and tonight, we saw something interesting. [de sa part]. »

Rare departure

Victor Wanyama was starting only his third match this season. He wore the captain’s armband, which had previously been reserved for Quebecer Nathan Saliba since Samuel Piette left for the Copa América.

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.

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 on July 13 at Saputo Stadium, where it will face Atlanta United.

Rising

Ruan Gregorio Teixeira

Came on to replace Lassi Lappalainen in the 66th minute^e minute, Ruan Gregório Teixeira multiplied the threatening crosses in the penalty area. It was also he who made the offering that allowed Matías Cóccaro to score the only goal for Montreal. He would have been awarded a perfect score if he had managed to score on a breakaway.

Falling

Joaquin Sosa

Soccer is a game of mistakes, and even a moment of error can prove fatal. This notion was brought home to Joaquín Sosa, who mismarked forward Brian White, who scored the Whitecaps goal. The defender lost possession nine times during the match.