Offensive outburst propels CF Montréal to seventh consecutive game without a loss

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CF Montréal continues to defy the odds after starting the MLS season with three consecutive defeats.

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CFM established a club record Saturday afternoon, producing a seventh consecutive match without a loss, as it pounded Orlando City 4-1 before 14,068 Saputo Stadium spectators.

Joel Waterman opened the scoring in the 21st minute before Djordje Mihailovic gave the home club a two-goal advantage in the 52nd. Joao Moutinho cut the deficit to one in the 72nd before CFM put the game away with goals by Joaquin Torres (81st) and Zachary Brault-Guillard (84th). Torres also added a pair of assists.

CFM has won five and drawn twice since its last defeat, March 12, at Yankee Stadium to New York City FC, the defending MLS champions.

CF Montréal moved into third place in the Eastern Conference with the victory, improving to 5-3-2. The Lions lost for the first time in five road contests and now have a 5-4-2 record. Orlando City also eliminated CFM from playoff contention last November on Decision Day.

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The first half was dominated by CFM, but the home team carried only a one-goal lead into its dressing room at the intermission — thanks to goalkeeper Pedro Gallese, who kept his side in the match.

CF Montreal wasted little time going on the attack. In the sixth minute, Alistair Johnston sat a cross to Romell Quioto, just outside the six-yard box. But Quito’s header went over the bar.

Only two minutes later, Lassi Lappalainen picked up a loose ball on the left flank that deflected off defend Ruan. The Finnish native took a low shot, but Gallese got the better of him, making a save with his left foot.

In the 15th, Mihailovic was fouled by Jhegson Méndez just outside the box, but no call was forthcoming from referee Guido Gonzales.

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While Waterman produced his first goal of the season, it wasn’t without a video review preceding it. The sequence began with Mihailovic’s free kick that deflected off Quioto’s head. With the ball bouncing around in the box, it was scuffed past Gallese by the Canadian defender, who initially appeared to be offside on the play.

The goal was deemed legal after Gonzales went to the sideline and the play was reviewed. Waterman, however, received a caution three minutes later and will be suspended from the next match because of an accumulation of yellow cards.

CFM enjoyed a three-on-two break in the 36th. Torres fed Quioto, who curled a cross toward the hard-luck Lappalainen. He had a glorious opportunity, but his low shot missed the far post.

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In the 40th, Torres was the catalyst again. He delivered a short pass to Mihailovic, but Gallese came up big once again, making a toe save on the low shot.

Mihailovic scored the decisive second goal early in the second half following a long solo run down the right flank by Torres. The Argentine passed to Johnston, who crossed the ball to Mihailovic in the box. The American attacking midfielder calmly stroked the ball past Gallese for his fifth goal this season.

If CF Montréal believed it would coast home, Moutinho ensured the final minutes would be filled in anxiety after Moutinho headed Mauricio Pereyra’s corner past ‘keeper Sebastian Breza, still seeking his first clean sheet this season.

Following two consecutive home matches, CFM goes on the road next Saturday night, meeting expansion Charlotte FC.

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