MONTREAL — CF Montreal’s struggles continued Saturday night at Stade Saputo, with the Major League Soccer team dropping its fifth straight match, a 3-0 loss against the New England Revolution.
New England (6-4-5) scored three times in the second half, taking advantage of a red card given to Montreal forward Giacomo Vrioni in the latter stages of the opening half.
“I just want to say that I’m proud of these guys, of how they fought for the entire game,” said CF Montreal interim head coach Marco Donadel in an abbreviated 50-second post-game press conference. “The first half, 11 versus 11, I think that we dominated. Even at 10 versus 11, at the end of the first half and the second half. I just wanted to say that.”
The Montreal bench boss refrained from taking any questions from members of the media, simply saying “I want to stay on the bench for the next games and not be disqualified.” In addition, no players were made available post-game, with the team’s media relations team calling it “a club decision.”
Donadel and the team’s frustration likely stemmed from that straight red card issued to Vrioni in the 36th minute of play for what was deemed “violent conduct” on New England defender Keegan Hughes. The former Revolution forward, who was acquired by Montreal from New England last January, and Hughes had been battling for the ball when Vrioni kicked his rival, who writhed in pain along the New England sidelines.
Up to that point, Montreal had largely controlled play, outshooting New England 8-2 through the first 45 minutes and controlling possession 61 per cent of the time. However, the club failed to capitalize on its scoring chances, most notably on a chance by Caden Clark inside the box off a Dante Sealy free kick in the 23rd minute that was ultimately blocked by Revolution defender Tanner Beason.
Montreal’s Nathan Saliba (who accounted for the club’s only shot on target of the half) and Vrioni also followed with chances of their own in the ensuing minutes. However, both of their attempts missed the target.
Upon their return to the pitch for the second half, New England wasted little time profiting from their man advantage.
After winning a free kick after being fouled by Montreal’s Sealy, Revolution midfielder Peyton Miller accepted a cross from defender Ilay Feingold. Miller froze Montreal goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois, scoring his first career MLS goal with a left-footed deflection to the bottom right corner of the net.
The Revolution doubled their lead in the 55th minute when Feingold made a run inside the right side of the box, using his left boot to beat Sirois.
Feingold struck again in the dying minutes of the match, scoring from the right side of the box on a lateral feed from Miller in the 87th minute. All three of the Israeli international’s goals this season have come in the past two games.
With the team officially at the halfway point of its 2025 MLS season, Montreal (1-11-5) has yet to win a game on home turf (0-4-3). The club remains firmly entrenched at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, with eight points accumulated out of a possible 51.
For New England, the win helped run their MLS unbeaten streak to nine games (5-0-4) dating back to April 12. It also marked the seventh straight road result for New England, tying a franchise record established in 2019.
Revolution goalkeeper Aljaz Ivacic earned his seventh clean sheet of the season, helping New England improve upon its stingy defensive record since the start of this 2025 MLS campaign. The club has allowed just 14 goals through its opening 15 games, tops in the league.
PIETTE HITS 200 GAME MARK
Midfielder Samuel Piette became the first player in club history to appear in 200 career MLS games, all with Montreal. Already the franchise leader in games played, the Le Gardeur, Que. native, also paces Montreal in career starts (178) and minutes played (15,534). Saturday’s match also marked the 30-year-old’s 225th game across all competitions with Montreal, passing goalkeeper Evan Bush for sole possession of sixth place since the founding of the club in 1993.
CARD TROUBLE
In addition to Vrioni’s red card, Montreal’s Saliba and Joel Waterman were issued yellow cards. Both Saliba and Waterman entered the match on the MLS’ caution accumulation warnings, meaning a single yellow card would likely result in a suspension for both players during the team’s next match.
UP NEXT
New England: Host FC Cincinnati on Saturday, June 14.
Montreal: Visit the Houston Dynamo on Saturday, June 14.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 31, 2025.
Jordan Stoopler, The Canadian Press
