After the high drama and high controversy of Orlando City SC‘s 1-1 draw with Nashville SC, the Lions head to CF Montréal to contest their final regular season fixture of the 2021 MLS season.
In stoppage time last Sunday, Alexandre Pato struck Joe Willis’ bar before Andrés Perea prodded home a game winner, only for referee Allen Chapman to incorrectly rule the goal out through VAR, and deny City a clinched spot in the 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs.
At best, this 94th minute incident was gross incompetence and at worst, it was downright cheating against Orlando City SC.
The official PRO Referees statement claimed: “Orlando player Daryl Dike kicked Nashville player Alistair Johnston’s leg as Johnston was attempting to clear the ball. It was determined to be a foul prior to the goal being scored.”
Inspecting this slow motion footage from Orlando City SC, it’s inconclusive, and certainly not “clear and obvious” that Daryl Dike fouled Alistair Johnston at all.
In fact, you could even claim that Johnston fouled Daryl Dike before Andrés Perea prodded it home.
After CF Montréal defeated Houston Dynamo 2-0 on Wednesday, the harsh reality is that this decision means Orlando City SC still risk missing out on the 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs altogether.
At the full-time whistle, Orlando City SC players, supporters, Front Office members, pundits, and even rival supporters were dumbfounded by the goal being overruled.
There was an outpouring of anger, bitterness and resentment towards MLS and PRO Referees – and with good reason.
How on Earth can a league this size, and with these stakes on the line, get such an important decision like that, wrong?
Orlando City SC has a knowledgeable fanbase, one that traverses Europe and South America as well as the United States, and in any other league, Andrés Perea‘s goal is a legitimate one.
Much-maligned season in, season out, the incompetency and lack of accountability from PRO Referees makes a mockery of MLS, Sunday’s occasion, our franchise, and our support.
Seriously undermining the competition, drama seems to follow Allen Chapman around when refereeing Orlando City SC games too.
He was the referee who sent Pedro Gallese off during last season’s crazy penalty shootout victory against New York City FC.
In a hugely embarrassing moment for MLS, Chapman totally lost control in officiating a shootout that took a farcical 23 minutes to complete.
All in all, you have to seriously question whether Chapman has something personal against Orlando City SC?
Right now, Allen Chapman’s decision could have huge financial implications for Orlando City SC too. After all, hosting or playing away in the MLS Cup Playoffs generates huge revenue for the club.
#OrlandoCityUK REACTS 🗣 | It’s all about you, it’s all about you, @PROreferees, it’s all about you! 🤬
Absolutely farcical decision. Still can’t believe what we just witnessed. 🤯#ORLvNSH #OrlandoCity #EveryoneN #MLSUK pic.twitter.com/c6pYSsie3J
— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) October 31, 2021
How can Orlando City SC clinch a spot in the 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs?
As it stands
On 2021 MLS Decision Day, an Orlando City SC win at CF Montréal will finally clinch our spot in the 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Orlando City SC will be eliminated from playoff contention if we lose at CF Montréal AND New York Red Bulls win or draw away at Nashville SC.
Right now, New York Red Bulls have more wins (13) than Orlando City SC (12). This is the first tiebreaker for playoff berths with the second being goal differential.
CF Montréal vs Orlando City SC – 2015/21 head-to-head stats
Last meeting as recently as October 20, Orlando City SC and CF Montréal played out a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Exploria Stadium.
A fair result on the balance of play, the draw meant the Quebec side are now unbeaten in six MLS regular season visits to Orlando.
Right before half-time, Ruan rampaged down the right wing to send in a cross that Chris Mueller duly dispatched.
It was big for Mueller who by his own admission has endured a below-par 2021 campaign, prior to his Hibernian switch.
But then came a sluggish start to the second-half.
On 51 minutes, Rudy Camacho headed home a Djordje Mihailovic corner and yet again, the Lions were caught cold.
Orlando City SC huffed and puffed thereafter but CF Montréal were good value for a point.
Orlando City SC 1 CF Montréal 1 – Highlights – October 20, 2021 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Draws are a rarity in this cross-border MLS affair but that’s exactly what we got in the last head-to-head (1-1).
Only the THIRD draw in SIXTEEN Orlando City SC vs CF Montréal / CF Montréal vs Orlando City SC fixtures, we usually get one winner.
Oscar Pareja‘s Orlando City SC need to win or draw in this latest visit to Stade Saputo to finally seal a spot in the 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Let’s all pray that City draw level with CF Montréal on SEVEN wins each in this Eastern Conference game series.
Orlando City SC 2 CF Montréal 4 – Highlights – September 15, 2021 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
Ahead of our 2021 MLS Decision Day trip to Quebec, Orlando City SC can take encouragement from this stat.
In our last TWO away games against CF Montréal, the Lions have taken six points from six.
In truth, Stade Saputo only played host to one of these fixtures (0-3 in June 2019) with the other (0-1 in November 2020) played at Red Bull Arena due to COVID-19 travel restrictions.
Nevertheless, Orlando City SC will take heart from this.
On a personal note, City’s last visit to Quebec was incredible for many reasons.
Not only did I (Orlando City UK) witness a flawless 0-3 win live at Stade Saputo, I was spotted on live TV and met James O’Connor and the 2019 Orlando City SC roster in person too.
Montreal Impact 0 Orlando City SC 3 – Highlights – June 1, 2019 (Credit: Major League Soccer)
CF Montréal form
The bad news for Orlando City SC is that CF Montréal haven’t been struggling to find the net at home.
In their last THREE games at Stade Saputo, CF Montréal scored TWICE against Atlanta United, Philadelphia Union, and Houston Dynamo.
CF Montréal sat three points below the red line entering Week 34.
However, Wednesday’s 2-0 victory over Houston Dynamo means Wilfried Nancy’s side could be set for a last-gasp jump into the 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Orlando City SC form
For most Major League Soccer sides, you’d expect them to lose most of their games on the road.
Losing SEVEN away fixtures this season, Oscar Pareja‘s side have actually been undefeated in NINE.
Not the worst record heading into 2021 MLS Decison Day at Stade Saputo, a win or draw will see the Lions clinch their spot in the 2021 MLS Cup Playoffs.
Away victories have been way too few and far between however.
Last tasting victory on the road at FC Cincinnati (0-1) on October 16, our previous road win came way back on June 25 at Florida rivals Inter Miami (1-2).
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Don’t forget, CF Montréal vs Orlando City SC will be shown LIVE on Sky Sports Football at 21:00 (GMT) on Sunday evening.
You can view our TV Fixture Tracker by clicking here.
GOOD NEWS 🚨 | @clubdefootmtl 🆚 @OrlandoCitySC is LIVE on @SkySports Football at 9PM on Sunday evening. 🦁⚽️👍🏽
VIEW OUR TV TRACKER 📺: https://t.co/KV9JvpAA0o#OCTwitter #MTLvORL #CFMTL #OrlandoCity #VamosOrlando #MLSUK pic.twitter.com/61mJOohkpI
— Orlando City UK (@Orlando_CityUK) November 5, 2021
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