CF Montreal eliminated from MLS playoffs after loss to New York in East semifinal

CF Montreal’s post-season run has come to a close with a 3-1 loss to defending MLS Cup champion New York City FC on Sunday in the Eastern Conference semifinal.

Maximiliano Moralez, Heber and Telle Magno all scored for NYCFC, which took a 3-0 lead before the home team could get on the board.

Djordje Mihailovic scored the lone goal for Montreal.

“We just joined this season watching Montreal play really well,” one CF Montreal fan told CityNews after the game. “We are proud of them. Hopefully next year they’re going to play really well and we will be able to win the finals too.”

“We could have had a better start,” said another. “But next time, Lady Luck, we need to have her on our side. So I hope she will be there next year.”

After a record-setting season, CF Montreal has been eliminated from the MLS playoffs.

New York City FC defeated Montreal 3-1 in front of 19,619 fans at Saputo Stadium. pic.twitter.com/nF3LfJvN8J

— CityNews Montreal (@CityNewsMTL) October 23, 2022

It was a nervy start for Montreal who couldn’t keep onto the ball for more than a few passes at a time. That would prove costly as Moralez found himself alone in front of an open net after a series of defensive mistakes, putting the visitors up just six minutes in.

The mistake appeared to wake Montreal up as the home side began to dominate the ball. Their first chance came just five minutes after conceding when Alistair Johnston found Kai Kamara’s head in the box, forcing a great reaction save from New York goalkeeper Sean Johnson.

Johnston and Kamara would later connect again, with Kamara hitting the post as the home side’s pressure on New York’s back line continued to build.

Shortly after the 30-minute mark, Johnson was once again called to bail out the NYCFC defence when Ismael Kone got on the end of a cross, prompting another incredible save.

As Montreal continued to press, New York found openings to counter just as the first half was ending. After winning possession in his own half, Santiago Rodriguez spotted Heber’s late run to double their lead in stoppage time.

“You know, Montreal played a good game. It was a great match. But you know what? New York came out on top,” said one NYCFC fan.

Marque finale.#CFMTL pic.twitter.com/2H1v7zKKjD

— CF Montréal (@cfmontreal) October 23, 2022

Merci @cfmontreal pour une incroyable saison qui aura surpassé toutes nos attentes et un parcours en séries qui nous aura fait vibrer! ????

On se reprend l’année prochaine et on ira jusqu’au bout! ⚽️ #CFMTL #mlscupplayoffs #polmtl

— Valérie Plante (@Val_Plante) October 23, 2022

The second half saw both teams maintaining their style of play, with Montreal dominating possession for long stretches of time and New York sitting deep and absorbing pressure.

Once again, NYCFC would strike on the counterattack, drawing a penalty after Montreal goalkeeper James Pantemis took down Gabriel Pereira in the penalty area. Substitute Telle Magno would step up and extend the lead to 3-0 in the 61st minute.

Montreal pulled one back through Mihailovic in the 85th minute – his last goal in front of the Stade Saputo crowd before he leaves for Dutch side AZ Alkmaar in the winter.

New York will now begin preparations for the Eastern Conference Final on Oct. 30 at Subaru Park in Philadelphia to face the Union.

“We would give anything for the boys in blue,” said one NYCFC fan who travelled from New York. “We’re really excited to see them in Philadelphia next weekend. We hope they do make it all the way again. And I believe in the team. I think they can.

“We were really thrilled to come all the way from New York to see this game.”