Toronto FC secured a 1-0 victory over CF Montreal on Saturday, thanks to a goal from defender Richie Laryea.
The game, which took place at BMO Field in Toronto, was a tightly contested match between the two Canadian rivals. Both teams had their chances, but it was Laryea’s goal in the 76th minute that ultimately proved to be the difference.
The first half saw Toronto FC dominate possession and create several scoring opportunities. However, they were unable to find the back of the net, with Montreal’s defense holding strong.
In the second half, Montreal came out with more energy and began to put pressure on Toronto’s defense. But the home team’s backline, led by captain Michael Bradley, held firm and kept Montreal at bay.
As the game entered the final 15 minutes, it seemed like it would end in a scoreless draw. However, Laryea had other plans. In the 76th minute, he received a pass from midfielder Mark Delgado and made a strong run into the box. Laryea then unleashed a powerful shot that beat Montreal’s goalkeeper and found the back of the net, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
Montreal tried to mount a comeback, but Toronto’s defense remained resolute and held on for the 1-0 victory. This was Toronto FC’s second win in a row, following their 2-0 victory over the New York Red Bulls last week.
With this win, Toronto FC moves up to fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings, while Montreal remains in seventh place.
Toronto FC head coach Chris Armas praised his team’s performance, saying, “We showed a lot of character and resilience today. It wasn’t an easy game, but we found a way to get the win.”
Meanwhile, Montreal head coach Wilfried Nancy was disappointed with the result but acknowledged Toronto’s strong performance. “We had our chances, but we couldn’t capitalize on them. Credit to Toronto, they played well and deserved the win,” he said.
Toronto FC will look to continue their winning streak when they face Orlando City SC next week, while Montreal will try to bounce back against the New England Revolution.