Early Blow Leaves CF Montréal Chasing the Game
Crowds packed Stade Saputo expecting a turnaround for CF Montréal, but the atmosphere quickly deflated. Just 13 minutes into the match, Chicago Fire FC pounced on a moment of indecision at the back. Hugo Cuypers was the quickest to react, sliding the ball past Montréal’s keeper Jonathan Sirois and putting the visitors ahead. That early strike seemed to rattle the home side, setting the tone for a frustrating night for Montréal and its fans.
The rest of the first half saw both teams battle in midfield but Montréal’s efforts fizzled out in the final third. Striker Prince Owusu and winger Dante Sealy tried to carve out chances, but the Chicago defense was locked in. Montréal’s attacking moves often broke down before they could muster a clear shot at Chris Brady’s goal.
Chicago Doubles Lead as Defensive Woes Continue
After halftime, CF Montréal’s hope for a comeback took another hit in the 54th minute. A well-placed corner from Chicago led to a towering header from Jack Elliott, who used his height advantage to rise above the defenders and smash home his team’s second of the night. The Montréal back line looked powerless to stop him, highlighting ongoing struggles with set-piece defending.
Interim head coach Marco Donadel shuffled the deck with substitutions, bringing fresh legs onto the pitch. However, despite the tactical switches, Montréal’s attack couldn’t find a spark. Missed passes, heavy first touches, and a lack of rhythm left the home team without a real threat for much of the second half.
The defeat was especially tough considering the individual milestones for the squad. Dante Sealy celebrated his 20th appearance this season—a career high. Meanwhile, Joel Waterman etched his name in club history by surpassing Adam Braz’s record for outfield minutes played since the franchise’s early days in 1993. Yet, these personal achievements offered little solace after another result that slipped away.
On the visitor’s side, Chicago Fire FC’s seventh road victory of the year reflected their growing confidence. Hugo Cuypers led the charge, tormenting defenders and keeping Montréal’s back line on edge. The Chicago defense, led by Elliott and goalkeeper Brady, limited the hosts’ shooting lanes and denied any sign of an equalizer.
With this loss, Montréal remains stuck with only 15 points from 24 games, their form taking a hit with just a single point from their last three matches. Chicago, by contrast, jumped to 32 points in 23 games and capped off a gritty road run before their own Leagues Cup campaign begins. For Montréal, the break couldn’t come soon enough. Their next test will see them travel to New England Revolution’s home turf at Gillette Stadium, looking for answers and much-needed confidence.
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