On Saturday night, Toronto FC faced off against CF Montreal in what coach John Herdman referred to as a “six-pointer,” a crucial match that could potentially lead to a significant point swing in the standings. Both teams entered the game tied for eighth place in the Eastern Conference with 27 points each.
However, Toronto FC had been struggling in their recent matches, with only one win in their last 12 games. Their defense had been particularly porous, conceding 47 goals and ranking 26th in the league in goals against. The team was coming off a 3-1 loss to Inter Miami, a game in which they failed to contain their opponents.
Herdman acknowledged the team’s shortcomings and emphasized the need to improve defensively and mentally in order to overcome their recent struggles. He highlighted the importance of fixing set pieces and staying strong collectively as a team.
On the other hand, CF Montreal had some positive momentum going into the match, coming off a 2-2 draw against the New York Red Bulls in a game that was delayed due to thunderstorms. Josef Martinez scored a brace in that game, bringing his total MLS career goals to 110 and helping Montreal to a 2-1-2 record in their last five matches.
This was the second meeting of the year between the two Canadian clubs, with Toronto FC dominating the first encounter with a 5-1 victory. The outcome of this match would be crucial for both teams as they fought to climb the Eastern Conference standings.
In the end, it was CF Montreal who emerged victorious, defeating Toronto FC 2-1 and securing three valuable points in the standings. The win propelled Montreal up the table while Toronto FC continued to struggle in their quest for a playoff spot.
Overall, the match was a hard-fought battle between two Canadian rivals, with CF Montreal coming out on top and Toronto FC left to regroup and address their ongoing issues. The result highlighted the competitive nature of MLS and the importance of every game in the race for the postseason.
