Toronto FC and host CF Montreal both looked less than their best in an uneventful Canadian Classique on Thursday night that ended in a 0-0 draw.
Both sides looked rusty in their return to league play following the World Cup break, frequently misplacing even simple passes. Neither Montreal (4-8-3, 15 points) nor Toronto (3-6-6, 15 points) were able to apply sustained pressure, managing just a single shot on target between them through the first 45 minutes.
Montreal’s Hennadii Synchuk boasted the only real opportunity in the first frame, receiving the ball off Noah Streit’s underlapping run but curling it well wide of the target. Jalen Neal made a vital clearance late in the half to rob Toronto’s Josh Sargent of an open header.
Synchuk finally hit the target after a 65-minute-long spell where neither goalkeeper was tested, blasting his attempt straight off the gloves of Luka Gavran. Streit looked to have an opportunity to break away late in the match, only to be stopped in his tracks by Walker Zimmerman.
Toronto designated player Djordje Mihailovic made his first appearance since March 21 when he subbed on in the 74th minute. He had been out with a pelvic stress fracture.
Montreal leading scorer Prince Owusu and Toronto captain Jonathan Osorio were both suspended on yellow card accumulation. In Osorio’s place, national teammate Richie Laryea took the armband and his spot in the midfield.
The result extended Toronto’s winless streak to 10 matches in all competitions, even as Gavran recorded his second clean sheet of the year. Montreal goalkeeper Thomas Gillier posted his own clean sheet without facing a single shot on goal.
Both teams will lament having sacrificed a precious game in hand on ninth-place D.C. United in the race for the final Eastern Conference playoff spot.
–Field Level Media
