Montreal controls play but lacks finishing in 0-0 draw
CF Montréal had the better of the game at Stade Saputo on Thursday night but were unable to convert pressure into goals, settling for a 0-0 draw with Toronto FC as Major League Soccer resumed after the World Cup break.
The hosts outshot Toronto 15-7, including a 3-0 advantage in shots on target, but could not penetrate Toronto goalkeeper Luka Gavran or find a breakthrough against a compact visiting defence. Montreal’s most clear opening came in the 66th minute when Hennadiy Synchuk lashed a shot that Gavran kept out.
"CF Montréal drove the play but couldn’t solve Toronto FC keeper Luka Gavran in a 0-0 draw,"
Montreal (4-8-3) came out of the match with a single point. The result follows a challenging start to the season — the team recovered from a historically poor 1-7-0 beginning under then-coach Marco Donadel and entered the summer break under interim boss Philippe Eullaffroy, who stabilised results heading into the hiatus.
Availability and discipline shape teams
Player availability influenced the lineups on both sides. Toronto were without captain Jonathan Osorio, who served a one-game suspension for yellow card accumulation. Montreal also missed forward Prince Owusu, who was serving a one-game ban after scoring a hat trick in the last match before the break. In addition, Montreal were without Wiki Carmona, Bode Hidalgo and Josh-Duc Nteziryayo because of lower-body injuries.
- Montreal record after the game: 4-8-3
- Toronto record after the game: 3-6-6
- Shots: Montreal 15, Toronto 7 (Shots on target: 3-0)
Toronto remain without a win since April 4, a run extending to 10 matches, while Montreal have the Canadian Championship semifinals on the horizon after consecutive 2-1 wins over Vancouver FC, setting up a tie against the Vancouver Whitecaps in the last four.
Match context and what comes next
Montreal’s dominance in territory and attempts did not translate to goals, highlighting problems in finishing and the impact of absences. Synchuk’s near-miss in the second half was the clearest example of a team that controlled play but lacked the decisive touch.
| Team | Record (W-L-D) | Shots (On target) |
|---|---|---|
| CF Montréal | 4-8-3 | 15 (3) |
| Toronto FC | 3-6-6 | 7 (0) |
The draw keeps Montreal in a position where results must improve to climb the MLS standings. With the Canadian Championship fixture against the Whitecaps approaching, Eullaffroy will need to find ways to convert possession into goals while managing a squad coping with suspensions and injuries.
