Simon Servant, The Canadian Press
CF Montreal had practically nothing left to prove, but that didn’t stop them from putting in a brilliant performance to end the season.
Bleu-blanc-noir set the tone with two early-stage goals and scored an easy 3-1 win over Inter Miami CF on Sunday afternoon at DRV PNK Stadium.
The Montreal team took advantage of their time in Florida to set two MLS records. He signed the seventh consecutive victory on the opponent’s fields and set the record for the most points accumulated on the road in a season (35).
CF Montreal (20-9-5) will enter the playoffs from the front door, having remained unbeaten in their last six games (5-0-1). For coach Wilfried Nancy, however, it wasn’t about sending a message for the fall tournament.
“We are not here to send messages. Good games and good results, we had already had them, said Nancy. I remember some games where it was difficult. It is a continuation of what we have done since the beginning of the season and last year. “
The Montrealers could still aim for first place in the Eastern Conference, but Philadelphia Union did their homework by correcting Toronto FC 4-0.
Installed in second position, the Montreal team will start the playoffs next week, at Saputo Stadium. Their opponent will be Orlando City SC, who won a dramatic 2-1 win over the Columbus Crew.
We do not yet know if there will be the Bleu-blanc-noir top scorer, Romell Quioto. For his part, defender Rudy Camacho had not made the trip to Florida.
Nancy obviously didn’t have time to think about Orlando City SC, but insisted she was happy not to see Inter Miami CF in the first qualifying round.
“I am relieved not to play against Miami anymore. It’s hard for coaches to play back and forth, he said. Every year there are surprises and this time it’s Columbus “.
In the rain and braving the heat, CF Montreal continued to exert pressure despite the 2-0 lead after just eight minutes of play, retaining possession in the second half and defending the goal well from James Pantemis until when Joel Waterman scored a goal car.
“It was important to score the first goal and it was good for the confidence to have the second. We knew the playing conditions were going to be difficult physically and mentally. We kept the same game plan and were successful for most of the game. We have failed once or twice, but for most of the game everyone played very well, “noted midfielder Djordje Mihailovic, who finished the game with a goal and an assist.
Lassi Lappalainen and Kei Kamara also threaded the needle for the Montrealers, who scored 9-5-3 at home this season.
Inter Miami CF had won their last four outings confirming their place in the playoffs. He hadn’t lost in his stadium since July 13, his last six games.
Argentinian striker Gonzalo Higuain was struck off the scoresheet for the first time in six games. He was replaced in the 58th minute after falling heavily on the pitch.
On the wheel covers
Inter Miami CF had big ambitions at the start of the match, but the guests quickly silenced the crowd.
From the fifth minute of play, goalkeeper Drake Callender tinkered with the ball after being pressed by Ismaël Koné. Mihailovic arrived in support to recover the object and opened the scoring in a completely abandoned goal.
Just three minutes later, Mihailovic broke through the enemy defense and delivered a nice pass to his left. Lappalainen broke away from an opponent and easily put the finishing touches extending the lead to 2-0.
Pantemis had to show up a few times and his team gave him three goals before the end of the first half.
Victor Wanyama spotted Kamara in the final third and the veteran easily outpaced defenders Damion Lowe and Aimé Mabika. Kamara then appeared alone in front of Callender and fooled his vigilance with a low shot.
CF Montreal controls the game in the second half and tries to protect Pantemis’ exclusion. Waterman, however, redirected a Harvey Neville cross into his own goal in the 85th minute.
