After a very important 0-1 victory away at FC Cincinnati, Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC return to Exploria Stadium for another home fixture against CF Montréal.
Yet another key game in City’s bid to reach the 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs, Wilfried Nancy’s CF Montréal sit four points behind fourth-placed Orlando City SC, one point above the Eastern Conference red line.
Grinding out a 0-1 win against a poor FC Cincinnati side, Orlando City SC need to play better to defeat CF Montréal.
While there was plenty of grit and heart on display, CF Montréal are a much better side and boast a strong record playing in Orlando.
Admittedly, Orlando City SC should’ve won 0-2 at TQL Stadium on Saturday night.
Long after Júnior Urso‘s well-placed 13th minute opener, sub Tesho Akindele scored a legitimate goal on 85 minutes.
Blasting one from range, Akindele’s strike cannoned off the crossbar.
However, referee Marcos de Oliveira and his fellow officials failed to spot that the ball had crossed Przemysław Tytoń’s line after the woodwork was hit.
With no goal-line technology in Major League Soccer and no resulting VAR call, it was a bitter pill to swallow.
Especially considering that FC Cincinnati were calling for a penalty deep in stoppage time when sub Rodrigo Schlegel fouled Brandon Vazquez.
Fortunately, there was a no-call from Marcos de Oliveira.
Adjudging that Nick Hagglund fouled Schlegel in the build-up, this could’ve easily been given as a penalty another day.
And who knows, perhaps PRO Referees had since realised their Akindele error before ruling in Orlando City SC‘s favour.
The full-time whistle was a huge relief for the Lions who achieved their first away victory in TEN road trips.
Currently placed three points ahead of fifth-placed Atlanta United, Orlando City SC have a home game seeding right now.
It’s City’s job to make sure we keep hold of it in the five regular season games remaining.
Orlando City SC vs CF Montréal – 2015/21 head-to-head stats
Last facing CF Montréal just under a month ago, it was a rare evening to forget at Exploria Stadium (2-4).
Only losing once at home all season (1-2 to New York Red Bulls in July 2021) prior to this game, Wilfried Nancy’s CF Montréal laughed in the face of the form book.
Looking back, Nani’s reckless red card on 35 minutes (0-1) was pivotal in surrendering three points at home.
Already booked, Nani foolishly tripped Djordje Mihailovic in his own half before Rubiel Vazquez showed him red.
Overcoming adversity to tie an unlikely 0-2 deficit through Robin Jansson and Ruan, City were eventually worn down playing a man light in Nani’s absence.
Late Lassi Lappalainen and Sunusi Ibrahim goals took the game out of the Lions’ grasp.
Orlando City SC 2 CF Montréal 4 – Highlights – September 15, 2021 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
With their 2-4 win at Exploria Stadium last month, CF Montréal have narrowly edged ahead of Orlando City SC in this Eastern Conference game series.
Draws are a rarity in this international fixture with just TWO played out since 2015.
Orlando City SC’s last home victory over the Quebec side came way back in May 2016 (2-1).
A Cyle Larin brace was enough to overturn Ignacio Piatti’s opener in front of 34,081 spectators at Camping World Stadium.
There’s no two ways about it – CF Montréal are the boogeyman when playing in Orlando.
We just mentioned that our most recent home win over the Canadian side was back in May 2016.
Indeed, CF Montréal are unbeaten in their last FIVE MLS regular season visits to Central Florida.
More recently, the Lions beat Montreal Impact 1-0 in the #MLSisBack Tournament Round of 16 but this wasn’t an official home fixture of course.
Orlando City SC 1 Montreal Impact 0 – Highlights – July 25, 2020 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Orlando City SC form
When you’re playing down the stretch, you want to be a consistent threat in front of goal.
Fortunately, Orlando City SC haven’t struggled to score in September and October, especially at home.
Oscar Pareja‘s Lions have scored AT LEAST 2 GOALS in their last THREE home games at Exploria Stadium.
Defeating Columbus Crew (3-2), losing to CF Montréal (2-4) and defeating D.C. United (2-1), The Wall have celebrated their fair share of home strikes.
It’s up to the boys to banish memories of that 2-4 CF Montréal home defeat by now getting one over our Quebec opposition.
CF Montréal form
CF Montréal revisit Central Florida having earned a last gasp 2-2 home draw with Philadelphia Union on Saturday.
With Sunusi Ibrahim’s header stealing a point at the death, this draw was actually favourable for Orlando City SC.
All in all, there have been OVER 2.5 GOALS SCORED in CF Montréal’s last FOUR MLS fixtures.
I don’t know about you but I feel this Orlando City SC vs CF Montréal game could be another high-scoring encounter.
CF Montréal 2 Philadelphia Union 2 – Highlights – October 16, 2021 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
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