July 20, 2024
CF Montreal defeated at home by Toronto FC
With playoff implications firmly cemented into one of the greatest rivalries not just in the MLS – but in any sporting league that contains teams in both Toronto and Montreal, Toronto FC and CF Montreal clashed tonight at Stade Saputo.
Coming into the game, both teams sat at 27 points on the year, six points back of Orlando City who currently hold the finally playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. If the season was to end today, both Montreal and Toronto would be wild card spots while the top seven seeded teams automatically qualify for the post season. Montreal also has a game in hand over Toronto with ten games left to play (including tonight).
See Also: Vancouver White Caps and CF Montreal play to tie
Toronto has been on a slide of late, and like Montreal did earlier in the season, found themselves on the losing end, to the same lower league squad, at the Canadian Cup. While Toronto still has a chance at redemption when they face Forge FC in the second leg of their cup tie, it is a sign of the struggles they have faced of late; but also of the growth of soccer in Canada, as teams in the Canadian Premier League are not only challenging their MLS counterparts, but beating them too.
Montreal’s ranks had been reinforced by the return of Joel Waterman, Samuel Piette and Mathieu Choiniere to the line-up following their international duties at the Copa America cup. That, coupled with the strong form from the squad of late, going undefeated in their last five home games lead many to believe that CF Montreal were on their way past Toronto and Orlando City to find themselves in a playoff spot.
Not so fast, as CF Montreal came out tonight on the flat foot and never really found their form throughout the game. Toronto FC were constantly first on the ball and held much of thr possession through the full ninety minutes.
The last time these two teams met, it was Montreal that was on a slide, as Toronto ran rampant over them, winning by a whopping score of 5-1 in Toronto.
It was a gritty contest, with a lot of fouls committed by both sides – and even more embellishments seeking free kicks, but for the most part, the officials got their calls, or non-calls, spot on. Montreal’s Ariel Lassiter and the Toronto trio of Shane O’Neill, Richie Laryea and Raoul Petretta were all issued a scalding and a yellow card booking.
There would be just the one goal scored in the contest – and it would belong to Richie Laryea of Toronto FC. Toronto practically walked into the box where Lorenzo Insigne was able to place a pass right into the feet of a sliding Laryea, who potted his first goal of the season.
Initially there were claims that the play had been offside, but the linesmans flag had stayed down – and after a brief delay, play resumed with the visitors now up by a goal on the scoreboard.
Montreal came close to finding an equalizer when Josef Martinez split three defenders and plowed his way to within six yards of the goal line, only to blast a shot clear over the crossbar. There was perhaps enough contact on the play to warrant a penalty but the referee wasn’t interested in any of that malarkey.
For Montreal, the loss puts an end to their home undefeated streak and puts more distance between them and Orlando City who hold the last playoff spot in the East. Worst still, they fall back behind their bitter rivals, Toronto FC.
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Montreal’s next home game is against Mexican side San Lois in the group stage of the Leagues Cup, That tilt takes place on July 30th at Stade Saputo.
Montreal will travel to Orlando City for their next match on July 26th, when they play anoher group stage match-up. In two games this year, Orlando City and Montreal have played to draws. Toronto will continue their road trip when they visit the Big Apple on July 27th to face the New York Red Bulls.