Saturday, August 6, 2022. 07:56
(Update : Saturday, August 6, 2022. 9:32 PM)
MONTREAL – Romell Quioto scored both goals for his team, but CF Montreal dropped two points in a 2-2 draw at Inter Miami CF on Saturday night at Saputo Stadium.
Quioto scored his 10th and 11th goals of the campaign, but a goal conceded in the final quarter of an hour prevented the Montreal team from overtaking New York City FC for second place in the Eastern Conference.
CF Montreal (12-8-4) missed a few scoring opportunities during this clash, which at times looked like a game of chess. However, Wilfried Nancy’s men have remained undefeated in their last five outings (3-0-2).
It was Emerson Rodriguez who came to break the hearts of Montrealers by moving the ropes in the 79th minute. Gonzalo Higuain also hit the target for Inter Miami CF (8-10-6), which was visiting Stade Saputo for the first time in its history.
Inter Miami CF had previously visited CF Montreal in two games played in Harrison, New Jersey in 2021.
Defender Zachary Brault-Guillard was out of the Montreal squad due to an ankle injury. Defender Joel Waterman will be suspended for the next game due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
The Bleu-blanc-noir will resume action next Saturday by visiting the Houston Dynamo.
Heartbreaking end
The two teams studied each other for a few minutes before going for the first offensive explosions of the match.
In the fifth minute, Samuel Piette placed a fine cross into the penalty area as Quioto had distanced himself from a rival. The Honduran kicked the ball in flight with his left foot to deceive Drake Callender’s vigilance and open the scoring.
Inter Miami CF took only a minute to respond. Bryce Duke passed to Alejandro Pozuelo, who quickly found Higuain behind the Montreal defence. The Argentina international had no difficulty lobbing the ball over James Pantemis.
The Bleu-blanc-noir was opened a door in the 19th minute, following another quality cross from Piette. Trying to prevent Mason Toye from redirecting the ball into the net, Christopher McVey accidentally touched the leather with his left arm. The video assistance to the referee confirmed the infraction and offered a penalty to the home team.
Installed at the penalty spot, Quioto fired a low shot that went under Callender even though the latter had dived to the right side, to his left.
Just four minutes later, Higuain gave CF Montreal fans a little scare after successfully breaking away from Joel Waterman. His powerful right-footed strike, however, went inches over the crossbar.
Wilfried Nancy’s team got off to a good start in the second half and gave themselves some great opportunities to increase their lead, without however taking advantage of them.
Kamal Miller first knocked on the door following a corner kick, but his shot missed the target. Moments later, Toye and Djordje Mihailovic came up against Callender, who made two important saves.
Inter Miami CF rewarded their goalkeeper in the 79th minute, thanks to the relentlessness of Rodriguez. After seeing his first shot blocked by Pantemis, the Colombian followed the play and took advantage of a hesitant outing by the CF Montreal goalkeeper to level the score.