Rudy Camacho shines at CF Montréal wins valuable waypoint in Orlando

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In their continuing quest to make the Major League Soccer playoffs, CF Montréal scored a valuable point on the road Wednesday night. And it could turn out to be the biggest point won this season.

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Rudy Camacho’s second goal this season, in the 51st minute, brought the CFM to a 1-1 draw against Orlando City in front of 15,775 spectators at Exploria Stadium. The French defender played a brilliant game in his own zone, frustrating numerous scoring opportunities. Not counting his offense, the score turned out to be the icing on the ice cream.

Chris Mueller put Orlando City to a 1-0 lead with a goal in the 45th minute.

With the tie, CF Montréal edged out DC United and ranked sixth in the Eastern Conference. The Canadian club has a record of 11-10-9, good for 42 points. DC United lost 3-2 to New England and has 41 points. Additionally, CFM is one point behind fifth-place Atlanta United, which drew 1-1 against New York City FC.

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CF Montréal extended its unbeaten streak to three games, while Orlando City is now unbeaten in four and is 8-2-5 at home.

The visitors were on their heels during the first half and were lucky enough to reach the intermission with just one goal. Although the CFM had a slight advantage in possession, the Canadian team was outshot 8-0. Additionally, Orlando City held a 5-1 advantage in corner kicks.

It was only the sixth time in franchise history that CF Montréal failed to register a shot in the middle. The visitors weren’t playing with a true striker at the top.

The dominance of the local team started early. In the 13th minute, after a corner kick, Junior Urso’s volley deflected from Camacho and hit the crossbar.

Thirteen minutes later, Benji Michel fired a low shot that deflected Camacho again. The blow, from the left side, was deflected from the far post.

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On the 29th, Michel sent a cross to Daryl Dike. His head butt went just above the bar

The inevitable finally happened just before stoppage time of the first half. Ruan started the three-way play, feeding Dike. His center eluded defender Kiki Struna, who is playing for the first time since August due to a calf injury. The ball found the foot of Mueller, who shot over goalkeeper James Pantemis, who had no chance on the play.

It was no surprise that CFM manager Wilfried Nancy made a substitution to start the second half. Sunusi Ibrahim, who scored the tying goal in second-half injury time last Saturday against Philadelphia, replaced Matko Miljevic, the summer signing who opened the scoring against the Union.

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In 49, Mathieu Choinière set up Ibrahim, who was alone in the six-yard area. Orlando City goalkeeper Pedro Gallese made an impressive save with his hand.

Undaunted, CFM remained at the forefront. Two minutes later, Camacho got his head into a Djordje Mihailovic corner. It was Mihailovic’s 15th assist this season.

Orlando City nearly regained its one-goal lead in the 76th. The sequence began with Pantemis blocking Dike’s attempt. The rebound went to Ruan, who seemed to have an open net and an easy scoring. However, Camacho blocked the shot.

This was the first of three consecutive away games that CFM will play. The club will remain in Orlando for training on Thursday and Friday before traveling to Toronto and a contest on Saturday night.

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