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Analysis: CF Montreal Continues Success Over Toronto FC

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MLS: CF Montreal at Toronto FC at BMO Field as CF Montreal Continues Success Over Toronto FC

TORONTO, ON – CF Montreal continues success against TFC with their second road game at BMO Field, and third overall against Toronto FC in all competitions. There are many aspects to the game, including how CF Montreal was able to shut down TFC’s offence for most of the game. There was also the case of poor defence and too many giveaways given up by TFC.

Three Keys: CF Montreal Continues Success This Year Against Toronto FC

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CF Montreal’s Offence Was Comfortable in Toronto FC’s Side of the Box

CF Montreal was able to get into TFC’s box and create scoring chances. The most common way they did it was having crosses or passes into the box, which was a big reason why TFC’s Aimé Mabika gave up the own goal. Their passage of play was also fantastic creating scoring chances like the one seen with Jules-Anthony Vilsaint, where he should have done better and could have scored from a dangerous position. That chance was created by Kwadwo Opoku delivering a ball into the box. Other examples include:

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  • CF Montreal’s first goal, Vilsaint’s shot from just outside the box was saved by TFC goalkeeper, Tomás Romero. However, Mathieu Choinière followed the ball and put the ball into the back of the net.
  • A cross from Choinière following a corner, Bryce Duke almost scored, but his header hits the bar.

There were other examples of this like with Gabriele Corbo in the 24-minute of play.

Toronto FC Gave up Too Many Turnovers

Another reason why TFC lost the game was their turnovers. Yes, maybe they gave up too much space to Montreal, but the turnovers played a big role as well. Looking specifically at the scoring chances Montreal had because of it included:

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  • The 90+3-minute of play, where a Toronto FC turnover almost led to a CF Montreal goal.
  • The turnover that led to a penalty and Raoul Petretta getting a red card. This resulted in Choinière scoring his second goal of the game.

Looking at other turnovers, there was a chance straight after Montreal’s first goal that was luckily called offside for TFC and the inability to create scoring chances in the first half like Prince Osei Owusu being unable to control the pass from Jonathan Osorio.

CF Montreal Played Well Enough Defensively

There was one bad lapse late in the game, but overall Montreal did not allow much momentum from Toronto. These plays included:

  • Intercepting a pass late in the game to secure Montreal’s win.
  • Brandon Servania’s shot was blocked in the 81-minute.

Sometimes it felt that Montreal was defending too much on their own line against TFC in the latter part of the game. However, Montreal did do a better job in limiting TFC’s scoring chances, one cannot do anything about Bernardeschi’s first goal as well as that was a highlight reel goal scored.

Other Factors: Federico Bernardeschi Stepped Up, but CF Montreal Continues Success Against Toronto FC

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Federico Bernardeschi scored two fantastic goals. The first one might have been a highlight reel as he received a pass from Lorenzo Insigne and scored from outside the box. The second Bernardeschi goal was scored thanks to the great linkup play with Jonathan Osorio.

Unfortunately, other than that, there was nothing else to be said about TFC. With their ninth-straight loss in all competitions. TFC is only one point ahead of Inter Miami CF, who are last in the league, but just won the Leagues Cup. The big problem though is that Miami has four games in hand of Toronto, which makes TFC the favourite to win the dubious Wooden Spoon this year.

As for Montreal, this is their third road win and only second MLS road win this year. Two of those three road wins came against Toronto, with the other happening in the Canadian Championship quarterfinals game. CF Montreal had their number of late, winning their last five games in all competitions against their Canadian Classique rivals.

READ MORE: Toronto FC vs CF Montreal: Canadian Classique Rivalry Renewed

Montreal also moves up the MLS standings as they have the second-last playoff position in MLS right now with 34 points.

Terry Dunfield Sees Some Positives with Toronto FC

Despite losing another game at home, TFC head coach, Terry Dunfield, saw some positives from the game that he hopes he can take into the next game (source: Neil Davidson of The Canadian Press):

“If we’re able to cut out some of the errors, there was some really nice football at times,” he said. “I think after halftime, when we reorganized, the team showed some resiliency in the second half which was nice.”

Yes, this maybe true for Toronto. They looked sharper and were ready to go in the second half.  However, while earlier in the year, holding leads was a problem, giving up the first goal has now become Toronto’s number one concern. Conceding a goal in each of their last seven games in all competitions. TFC must find a way to start the game with that fire and energy instead of playing from behind. Maybe that starts next week, as Bernardeschi had a good game against Montreal on Sunday.

Games Coming up for Both Teams

Each team has two games remaining in August. CF Montreal will host a very tough New England Revolution team at Saputo Stadium before travelling to Yankee Stadium to face New York City FC. This is while TFC will travel to Columbus at Lower.com Field.

That game will determine whether Toronto or Columbus will win the Trillium Cup rivalry trophy on August 26. Toronto then hosts the Philadelphia Union at BMO Field on August 30. All four games will be shown at 7:30 p.m. ET and fans can watch all four games on Apple TV.

 

Photo Credit: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports on August 20, 2023, with a Kwadwo Opoku Headshot, on August 20, 2023.

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