CF Montreal conceded two goals in less than five minutes after returning from the locker room and lost 3-0 to Orlando City SC on Saturday evening in a very important game for the playoff race.
Dagur Dan Thorhallsson and then Facundo Torres scored twice in the 51st and 55th minutes of the game, ending Montreal’s hopes of a comeback.
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This major setback means that the CFMTL loses a spot in the Eastern Association and now finds itself in the ninth and final level, which provides access to the playoffs with 37 points, level with the Chicago Fire. If DC United wins against the Vancouver Whitecaps later Saturday night, Montreal could disappear from the tournament schedule after the season.
The game started very badly. In the 19th minute, Hernán Losada’s men conceded the first goal of the game. After a cross from Rafael Santos, midfielder Facundo Torres fired a left-footed shot into the Montreal club’s penalty area. The ball hit Jonathan Sirois’ right post, then bounced off his back and crossed the goal line.
Orlando thought they could score a second goal before halftime, but it was disallowed for offside.
With the defeat, Mathieu Choinière made history as he played his 100th game in Major League Soccer (MLS), a first for a player who trained at the club’s academy at Bleu-Blanc-Noir.
The Montreal club was dominated at every level; he only had possession 43% of the time. Orlando City had 13 shots on Jonathan Sirois’ goal; The latter parried three times.
With only three games left in the regular schedule, Montreal no longer has any room for error. The next stage promises to be very complicated, because on Wednesday the fourth best team in the West, Houston Dynamo, visits the Stade Saputo.