By Tony Álvarez
We knew it was going to be an exciting game, and it did not disappoint. Things got going from the start, as CF Montréal came back to win at Stade Saputo against a very talented Club León team, after a 1-1 encounter after 90 minutes and a 7-6 penalty shootout victory.
The Panzas Verdes did not waste any time to start the scoring, when at the 11 minute mark Colombian international James Rodríguez made his presence felt in his Leagues Cup debut when he delivered a cross from the right side of the field only to see his new teammate Rogelio Funes Mori deliver a strong header to score the first goal of the game and put his team in front.
After that, the team from Liga MX tried to create more danger, but the home side had something to say about that. CF Montréal started to control the ball and the game with long distance shots; they had a total of 17 in the game, with seven on target, but it was until the second half when it paid off.
In the 62 minute, Dante Sealy intercepted the ball near midfield and then delivered a clinical pass to Prince Owusu who then shot the ball crossing Oscar Jiménez to tie the game. Owusu is the team leading scorer, he came in with 11 goals in the current season and he showed his potential.
Jiménez prevent the loss for Club León with a stelar performance, as the game went into a penalty shootout. This was not the first time the Los Esmeraldas were involved in such an ending, as in the 2023 Leagues Cup edition they and Vancouver Whitecaps FC combined for a total of 38 kicks, a tournament record.
In this one, both teams scored their first five penalties and it was time for sudden death; in the second round of this stage Tom Pearce scored the seventh penalty for CF Montréal and then all pressure was on Club León as it showed when Sebastián Santos hit the crossbar to the end game in favor of the home team, putting this one in the books as a game that everyone will remember to start the 2025 Leagues Cup, securing two points for the home team.
REACTIONS:
CF Montréal head coach Marco Donadel
- “We continued the maturing process, we were behind on the scoreboard, but we controlled the game and knew what to do, we forced them to defend to create spaces and opportunities.”
- “It was a good game, a great atmosphere and energy and the boys showed their energy especially to continue playing with and without the ball, we did not have great possession, but we showed what we could do.”
- “We took a little more risk, we tried 10, 15 minutes with one more offensive player and the players did what we asked, they were all prepared and I was very happy with that.”
Club León head coach Eduardo Berizzo
- “I think it was an even match, we did not know how to close the match with a more sustained attack in the second half, we lost a ball that cost us a goal.”
- “We must handle the ball but always thinking about attacking, when you don't attack with the ball the possessions become sterile and then it punishes you.”
- “Montréal is a dynamic team, they are fast at the forward position with an attacking midfield that showed quality, it is a team that handles the ball well with dangerous players that forced us to defend well.”
PLAYERS OF THE MATCH:
- CF Montréal:
- Prince Owusu is their leading scorer and he did not dissapoint by scoring a key equalizer in the 62nd minute
- Club León:
- Rogelio Funes Mori made his presence felt early scoring his first goal as a member of León in the 11th minute
GAME NOTES:
- Prince Owusu entered the tournament on a tear with nine goals in his last nine appearances and he had another strong showing in his first ever Leagues Cup appearance
- There was only one penalty missed in the shootout (Sebastián Santos, Club León)
- León's veteran goalkeeper, Oscar Jiménez, had a nice showing with six saves in the game
- Club León was outshot 17-3 (7-2 in shots on target) and was caught on offside four times
- James Rodríguez played the full match in his first ever Leagues Cup appearance
CARDS/INJURY REPORT:
Yellow Cards:
- CF Montréal: Olger Escobar
- Club León: Oscar Jiménez, James Rodríguez
LOOKING AHEAD:
- CF Montréal will play their second game against Toluca FC at Sports Illustrated Stadium at 9:00pm on August 1
- Club León will play their second game against New York City FC at Sports Illustrated Stadium at 6:00pm on August 1
