Despite an incredible performance from Jonathan Sirois, CF Montreal failed to win the Canadian Championship, losing 2-1 to the Vancouver Whitecaps at BC Place on Wednesday night.
The Bleu-Blanc-Noir attempted to win the Coupe des Voyageurs for the first time since 2021 and secure a seat in the CONCACAF Champions League. Rather, it was the “Caps”, the defending champions, who dominated at home.
Sirois had an outstanding first half, correcting all the mistakes made by his teammates. Six shots went on goal for the Whitecaps and the Quebecer had to make three or four spectacular saves.
- Listen to Jean-François Baril’s sports broadcast live every day at 6:43 am. above QUB radio :
In the seventh minute, Levonte Johnson fired a shot that was deflected by a Montreal defender. The ball seemed to fly over a battered Sirois and some players and fans had already started to cheer, but the goalkeeper pulled his right leg out at the last moment.
However, the keeper was embarrassed on a long ball and his clumsy recovery attempt resulted in Vancouver’s first goal, that of Brian White. Ahmed Hamdi then put his men under pressure by offering the opponent a penalty shot for an unnecessary kick. Ryan Gauld quickly made it 2-0.
Sunusi Ibrahim gave CF Montreal a glimmer of hope by scoring in the 83rd minute. His sixth Canadian Championship goal in as many games is a franchise record, tied with Ignacio Piatti.
The Montreal side will be in action in Major League Soccer at Saputo Stadium on Saturday, hosting Minnesota United.