MONTREAL — CF Montreal could not capitalize on a late red card, settling for a scoreless draw against Orlando City SC at Stade Saputo on Saturday night.
This was just Montreal’s (0-6-3) third point of the Major League Soccer season and Orlando’s (3-2-4) third consecutive scoreless result.
“Of course we are missing the last pass, we’re missing the last shot, and a bit of luck. We showed the desire to do something with the ball and to try and dominate the others with our qualities,” said head coach Marco Donadel.
“In the first four games, I cannot complain about anything related to behaviour or attitude. I’m very happy to build a new identity.”
Montreal controlled the tempo of play for the majority of the first half but struggled to finish on the attack.
The club continued its run amongst the least offensively efficient team in MLS, failing to score a goal for the sixth game this year. However, the message within the group remains the same: patience.
“It’s difficult because it’s frustrating, you know that you’re leaving big points on the table. We’re doing well, we’re just not getting results and I strongly believe that if you don’t play well, the results won’t be there in the long run,” said captain Samuel Piette, who crossed the 20,000 minutes threshold with Montreal.
“It’s frustrating but we’re doing so many good things that the message in the dressing room is ‘sooner or later this is going to pay off.’”
Just after the 20-minute mark, Montreal thought they netted the opening goal when Dante Sealy scored from a tight angle. However, the goal was called back after it was determined that Piette was offside.
Montreal continued to control the match until the late stages of the half, when Orlando returned the favour. They set up a high press and pinned Montreal in their own end, creating several half-chances in the process.
Montreal managed to regain control thanks to the halftime substitution of Caden Clark but again failed to provide any consistent danger for Orlando keeper Pedro Gallese. Clark found himself in a number of dangerous positions but was unable to break down the Orlando defence.
The game completely shifted in Montreal’s favour in the 76th minute when Rafael Santos was booked for the second time, sending Orlando down to 10 men. The hosts couldn't turn the man advantage into three points, however, as Orlando dropped into a deep low block and repelled every attack sent their way.
“They are a very good team with very good players, we pressed very quickly and then we immediately conceded a counter attack,” said Donadel. “I was scared because the two or three minutes after a red card, the feeling of a player is ‘we go (quickly)’ and this is a team that, when you go, it gets risky.”
That hesitation was all Orlando needed to reinforce their defence after every wave of attack and see out the game against a Montreal side that has still not found its offensive confidence.
With 54 per cent possession and seven shots on target to Orlando’s two, Montreal once again controlled the majority of the game, but did not leave with the three points.
UP NEXT
Orlando: Hosts Atlanta United FC on Saturday, April 26.
Montreal: Visits the New York Red Bulls on Saturday, April 26.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 19, 2025.
Elias Grigoriadis, The Canadian Press
