Inter Miami secures road victory
Inter Miami defeated CF Montreal 1-0 at Stade Saputo on Saturday night, with Luis Suárez converting a penalty kick in the 81st minute. This victory marks Miami’s sixth consecutive road win, bringing their record to 11-2-4. Montreal, now 4-10-3, remains winless in its last six MLS matches.
The match saw Miami playing without key players Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul, who are taking time off after reaching the World Cup final. Despite their absence, Miami managed to secure the win, highlighting Montreal’s ongoing struggles with offensive production.
Montreal head coach Philippe Eullaffroy acknowledged the challenge of facing Miami without Messi, stating that the team had little game tape of Miami under new coach Guillermo Hoyos in such circumstances. Miami had also recently signed Brazilian midfielder Casemiro.
Montreal’s offensive struggles continue
CF Montreal’s offence has faced difficulties, failing to score in its last three MLS matches. This slump follows a period where the club scored in eight of nine matches leading into the World Cup break after Philippe Eullaffroy became interim head coach.
During Saturday’s match, Montreal created several scoring opportunities but was unable to capitalize. Early in the game, Prince Owusu delivered a low cross to Daniel Rios, who missed an open net. Shortly after, Hennadii Synchuk’s backheel attempt from another Owusu cross was saved by Miami goalkeeper Rocco Ríos Novo.
Eullaffroy expressed frustration with the team’s lack of efficiency in the final third, noting that Montreal should have scored at least once in the opening 15 to 20 minutes. He emphasized the need to improve finishing quality, acknowledging that it is a process that will not happen quickly but is currently costing the team points.
Captain Samuel Piette echoed these sentiments, highlighting the team’s solid defensive work often gets overlooked due to the focus on their inability to score or create chances. He noted the frustration of playing well and having good ideas but lacking the crucial finishing touch.
The team’s offensive challenges come at a demanding point in their schedule, returning from a three-week World Cup break. Montreal faced a two-legged Canadian Championship tie, a rivalry match against Toronto FC, and now three consecutive games against Eastern Conference opponents. The club lost 1-0 to Nashville SC on Wednesday, leaving minimal time for rest and preparation.
Eullaffroy commented on the difficulty of managing the schedule with a thin squad, stating that the team does not have 30 players on its roster. He noted that playing many games consecutively leaves little time for thorough preparation, with only one practice session available before the Miami game.
Injury and transfer window activity
A significant moment in the match occurred in the 70th minute when Germán Berterame and Efrain Morales collided, resulting in Berterame being knocked unconscious. He was subsequently removed from the field by ambulance. According to Eullaffroy, Berterame is now conscious in hospital and showing positive signs.
The collision was ruled a foul, leading to the penalty kick that Luis Suárez converted. Montreal was unable to recover in the remaining minutes of the match.
The summer transfer window is active, and Montreal has already made moves to strengthen its midfield and backline. The club acquired midfielder Dani Pereira from Austin FC and defender Brayan Ceballos from the New England Revolution. Eullaffroy indicated that he has provided the front office with a list of player demands, particularly focusing on bringing in more attacking strength to address the team’s scoring issues.
Montreal is currently starting a three-game homestand and will look to leverage its home form, where it has lost only once in eight games at Stade Saputo under Eullaffroy, winning five and scoring 16 goals across all competitions. The team is four points outside the Eastern Conference playoff picture despite a challenging start to the season.
Looking ahead, Inter Miami is set to host the Columbus Crew on Saturday, August 1, while CF Montreal will host the New England Revolution on the same day.
Source: sportsnet.ca
As CasinoNews's Sports News Writer, Mason Leclair reports on the CFL, golf and combat sports for readers across the country. He moved from regional papers into digital sport. He holds a degree in Journalism from Carleton University. Mason lives in Ottawa, where he follows the PGA Tour and mixed martial arts. “Get the facts down first, then add the context.”
