Toronto FC suffered a 3-2 loss to CF Montreal at BMO Field on Sunday night.
The opening half saw Toronto FC score two shot attempts to Montreal’s eight. CF Montreal opened the scoring when midfielder Mathieu Choignier buried the rebound from TFC goalkeeper Thomas Romero’s save on Montreal Jules Anthony Vilsand in the 18th minute.
A few moments later, Romero was called into action again, this time making a superb save into the bottom right corner, denying Montreal Goal forward Anthony Villsaint. Montreal kept up the pressure in the first half and managed to double their lead when Toronto defender Emi Mabika conceded an own goal in the 25th minute.
In the 40th minute, Montreal midfielder Bryce Duke hit a header from the Toronto goal. Just before half-time, Toronto defender Brandon Servania received the first yellow card of the game for a late tackle.
The Reds continued the second half, looking for the equalizing goals. In the 49th minute, TFC forward Prince Owusu’s attempt from outside the penalty area forced Montreal goalkeeper Jonathan Serwa into a great save. The introduction of Lorenzo Insigne in the 60th minute proved to be a huge motivator for the Reds. Seven minutes after entering, Insigne found Federico Bernardeschi on the edge of the penalty area, and Bernardeschi scored a deft left-footed shot from outside the 18-yard box into the top left corner.
While searching for the tying touchdown, Montreal hit Toronto on a counter. TFC left-back Raul Petretta was sent off for a late challenge on Montreal winger Lassi Lapalainen, resulting in a penalty. Montreal midfielder Mathieu Choinier scored the penalty kick in the 79th minute.
TFC goalkeeper Thomas Romero continued to provide a strong defensive presence for the Reds in the final minutes of the match, making a superb save in the 88th minute to limit Montreal’s attack. The Reds managed to reduce the deficit with another goal in stoppage time when midfielder Jonathan Osorio’s perfectly weighted ball found Federico Bernardeschi, who scored his second of the game after firing a superb right-footed shot from outside the 18-yard box into the bottom of the post. left corner.
Unfortunately for the Reds, no equalizer was found in this match.
The Reds return to action on Saturday, August 26, at Lower.com Field in Columbus.