CF Montreal ignite offense in win over Toronto FC

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:07 am

A well-rounded offensive attack led CF Montreal to a 4-2 victory over Toronto FC on Saturday in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Mason Toye, Romell Quioto, Victor Wanyama and Djordje Mihailovic each scored a goal as CF Montreal opened their season in spectacular fashion. CF Montreal reached the four-goal plateau for just the third time in three seasons.

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Wilfried Nancy won his first game as FC Montreal's head coach. Chris Armas, meanwhile, lost in his debut as Toronto FC's head coach.

Shots were even at 12 between the two sides. Toronto, however, didn't make the most of its chances, while its defense gave Montreal's attackers too much space to operate.

Marky Delgado and Richie Laryea scored for Toronto FC.

Delgado's goal came after a penalty kick in the 44th minute. Auro's initial penalty kick was stopped, but video review revealed that goalkeeper Clement Diop left his line too early.

It took CF Montreal less than three minutes to take the lead, as Toye had room in the left side of the box to fire a well-placed shot into the top right corner. It was Toye's first goal in seven career games with FC Montreal, after being acquired in a trade from Minnesota United in October.

Quioto outpaced defender Luke Singh in a race to the ball in the 24th minute. Quioto then fired a sharp-angle shot from the right side of the box for the goal.

After Delgado's goal gave Toronto FC some life heading into halftime, Wanyama restored CF Montreal's two-goal lead by heading in a corner kick in the 54th minute. Entering his second season with CF Montreal, two of Wanyama's three MLS goals have come against Toronto FC.

Mihailovic celebrated his CF Montreal debut by slipping through two Toronto defenders and scoring in the 71st minute. The midfielder was purchased from the Chicago Fire during the offseason.

Laryea evaded three defenders to score an impressive late goal for Toronto FC in the 88th minute.

Due to COVID-19 border restrictions, CF Montreal is beginning its season playing "home" games at Inter Miami's stadium in Fort Lauderdale.