May 17, 2025
CF Montreal torn apart on a rainy afternoon game against rivals Toronto FC
Montreal was awash ahead of the rivalry clash between Toronto FC at CF Montreal’s Stade Saputo, as early morning thunder showers had soaked the city – and more was expected to come throughout the day and into the night. There were even squall warnings issued for the island of Montreal.
While still being rivals, both CF Montreal and Toronto FC have struggled this season, are the owners of the two worst records in the Eastern conference. Toronto came into the match three points ahead of CF Montreal – the team that had ousted them from the Canadian Championship just two weeks ago, and were looking to avenge that.
See Also: Columbus Crew and CF Montreal draw at Stade Saputo
Both squads smelt blood early on, each believing the game was there’s for the taking. CF Montreal though, seemed to have taken Toronto FC too lightly, given their position in the standings, and chose to rest players ahead of their upcoming tilt with Forge FC in the Canadian Championship. Montreal, of course, knocked Toronto FC out of the tournament a fortnight ago – and they were out for revenge here this afternoon.
Seven minutes in, Giacomo Vrioni thought he had put his team up a goal, but the played was ruled offside and the goal disallowed.
CF Montreal were controlling the play for the better part of the opening quart of an hour, steaming in on goal and earning quality chances but nothing was getting passed goalkeeper Sean Johnson. It felt as if Montreal would be taking the lead at any moment – until everything fell apart.
In the 14th minute, Toronto FC finally had a chance on goal on a rare possession. Tyrese Spicer stole the ball off a bad pass and stormed down the field on a solo mission, with very little opposition, he challenged goalkeeper Sebastian Breza – and he put the ball away, snatching the lead to the shock of those that had come out to cheer on CF Montreal.
Things were about to get way worse.
In the 21st minute, Joel Waterman made a two-footed slide tackle from behind, bringing down Ola Brynhildsen hard just outside the box and earning himself a straight red card. Montreal’s defensive woes caused Waterman to be the last man back, with Brynhildsen already passed him and clear on goal – Waterman acted. CF Montreal were now down a goal and a player.
At ten men, the tides turned almost instantly, and the game CF Montreal seemed to control, was now fully in the hands of Toronto FC.
Toronto FC added two goals in quick succession, in the 30th and 33rd minute. First, Federico Bernardeschi who slotted a low ball into the far corner beyond the outreached glove of Sebastien Breza. Then Brynhildsen, who had a give and go passing affair inside Montreal’s box, was gifted a quality pass with nobody around to challenge as he tapped it neatly into the back of the net. CF Montreal hadn’t found a way to close the gap left by Waterman’s expulsion.
Montreal reacted by substituting in a more defensive pairing of Fernando Alvarez and Victor Loturi, in place of Tom Pearce and Caden Clark. Despite a late push that saw Montreal hit two goal posts, the first half ended with Toronto FC sat firmly on a three goal lead. Thoroughly soaked CF Montreal squad headed to the dressing room amid a shower of booing from their own fans.
While the weather got better to start the second half, with rain easing to but a dribble – the same couldn’t be said for the on field play from CF Montreal, as the wear and turmoil from being down a man began to show. Especially given that their best defender was the player that had been sent off on a straight red. That also means that Waterman will be banned for the team’s next match. As CF Montreal have been resting players due to a tough schedule, and with the Canadian Championship match-up against Forge FC – the team that knocked them out of the cup last season next on the horizon, Waterman’s poor decision could continue to hurt his club beyond this drubbing at the hands of Rival Toronto FC this afternoon.
In the 55th minute, Bernardeschi notched his second goal of the game when the Montreal defense allowed him way too much space to manuever just inside their box, and he stepped into a left-footed blast, curling the ball beautifully into the goal. Toronto FC were up by four goals.
Just under ten minutes later, CF Montreal finally broke through as Vironi found the back of the net – and the play was onside this time. The footwork was laid out by Luca Petresso who snaked his way passed a pair of Toronto defenders, before sending a sweet pass cross-crease for Vironi to tap into the wide open netting. Montreal, finally, were on the board.
Two minutes later, Theodor Corbeanu who had come as a substitute for Spicer just four minutes prior, added to Toronto FC’s tally, knocking in a blocked Bernardeschi shot. Corbeanu would score again in added time, as Toronto FC continued to push despite the game being well out of reach. This, after all, was the Canadian Classique – the biggest rivalry in Canadian soccer.
Moments later, Toronto FC came within a whiskey on adding a seventh goal to their tally. Instead the ball rolled just wide of the post. Goalkeeper Breza was furious, yelling at his defense and flailing his arms around in frustration.
Toronto FC had their revenge.
Read More:
>> CF Montreal to face Forge FC in Canadian Championships
>> CF Montreal earn their first win of the season in New York
>> The Montreal Roses and Halifax Tides play to a draw at Stade Boreale
While many had remained supportive of their team, singing and dancing until the final whistle – CF Montreal exited the field to a serenade of boos as fans begin to lose patience with their team. Montreal has managed just a single win through their first fourteen MLS matches this season.
Next, CF Montreal will play away in Hamilton on Wednesday, as the team looks to avenge their defeat last season at the hands of Canadian Premier League side Forge FC and remaining in the hunt for a trophy at the Canadian Championship. They then host the only MLS team will worse record than their own on Saturday, when LAFC visit Stade Saputo. Toronto FC will head host to BMO Field where they host Nashville, also on Saturday.
