Montreal’s celebration dampened as D.C. United snatches draw
CF Montreal’s retro night — a celebration that included re‑embracing the club’s former Impact identity and the introduction of new designated player Alexis Sánchez — ended without a victory as visiting D.C. United fought back to earn a 1-1 Major League Soccer draw on Saturday.
The home side controlled long stretches of the match but were unable to convert dominance into a decisive result. Montreal coach Philippe Eullaffroy kept his players on the pitch after the final whistle to deliver a team talk, underlining his frustration at missed opportunities in the final third.
“It’s a never-ending story. We do things generally well and again … we feel like we’re not far, but not far doesn’t give you any points,” Eullaffroy said, calling for improved quality and initiative in attack.
Key moments and match flow
Early phases belonged to D.C. United, but Montreal gradually seized control. The first notable chance came shortly after the 15th minute when Prince Owusu connected with a Luca Petrasso cross; his close-range effort was saved by goalkeeper Sean Johnson. From that point the hosts grew into the match.
| Minute | Event |
|---|---|
| ~15 | Owusu header saved by Sean Johnson |
| Half | Alexis Sánchez introduced to home fans |
| 47 (2 minutes into 2nd half) | Owusu converts penalty after VAR review |
| 67 | Baribo heads in equalizer past Thomas Gillier |
Montreal’s superiority in the first half was reflected in the numbers: the hosts had roughly 65 per cent possession and fired seven shots before the break but went into the interval level.
Penalty, celebration and the comeback
The second half opened ideally for Montreal. A Video Assistant Referee review awarded the team a spot kick just two minutes into the period, and Owusu calmly placed his penalty into the top right corner to give the hosts the lead.
After falling behind, the visitors gradually regained composure. Although D.C. United created few clear chances overall, they managed to force a decisive moment in the 67th minute when Baribo met a desperate cross with a powerful header that sailed past Montreal keeper Thomas Gillier at the near post.
Forward Fabian Herbers, reflecting on the Sánchez arrival and the match, emphasised the squad’s focus on performance rather than pageantry.
“When you’re on the pitch, you don’t think about who’s in the building, honestly, you just try to beat D.C. and win the game,” Herbers said, adding that Sánchez is a proven quality addition.
What it means for Montreal
The draw extends a frustrating run in which Montreal has not secured a win in its last seven MLS matches. Despite controlling possession and generating opportunities, the team has struggled to turn pressure into points — a problem Eullaffroy highlighted in his post‑match remarks about the need for sharper finishing and greater initiative in the final third.
- Home atmosphere: Retro night and Sánchez’s introduction lifted the crowd but did not translate into three points.
- Attack vs. finishing: Strong possession stats and chances were undermined by missed opportunities and one costly defensive lapse.
- Season implications: Montreal remains in search of its first MLS win in seven outings, leaving pressure on the coaching staff and players to convert dominance into results.
As the club moves forward, attention will fall on whether the arrival of a high‑profile signing and continued control of matches can be transformed into consistent victories. For now, Montreal supporters were left to savour the nostalgia of retro night while wondering when the team will translate promise into points.
