Charlotte’s late finish seals a 2-1 win over CF Montreal

Charlotte turn 13 shots into a 2-1 win at CF Montreal

Charlotte defeated CF Montreal 2-1 at Saputo Stadium on Wednesday, September 9, recovering from a level half-time score to secure all three points in Major League Soccer’s Regular Season - 24. CF Montreal took the lead through Daniel Ríos, but Liel Abada equalised three minutes later before Idan Toklomati Jorno scored the winner in the 81st minute.

Montreal made the stronger start and went ahead in the 34th minute. Luca Petrasso supplied the assist for Ríos, who finished to give the hosts a 1-0 advantage. Charlotte responded almost immediately, with Allan Saint-Maximin setting up Abada for the equaliser in the 37th minute. The teams therefore entered the interval level at 1-1.

Charlotte’s decisive moment came late. David Schnegg assisted Toklomati Jorno for the 81st-minute goal, putting the visitors in front for the first time. Toklomati Jorno had entered in the 28th minute for Archie Goodwin and made a major impact, finishing as the match’s highest-rated player with an 8.2 rating. He recorded one shot on target, one key pass and three tackles in 62 minutes.

The statistics showed Montreal having more of the ball and creating more overall pressure, but Charlotte proved more efficient. Montreal held 58% possession, completed 487 accurate passes compared with Charlotte’s 347, and led 16-13 in total shots. The hosts also had an 11-3 advantage in corners and registered five shots on goal, while Charlotte had four. However, Charlotte blocked seven Montreal attempts, compared with three blocks by the home side, and converted two of its chances to take the points.

There were three yellow cards. Victor Loturi was booked for Montreal in the 45th minute, Schnegg received Charlotte’s only caution in the 68th, and Matthew Longstaff was shown a yellow card in the 81st minute. Neither team received a red card.

The result strengthens Charlotte’s position in fifth place in the Eastern Conference. They had 36 points from 23 matches before this fixture, so the win takes them to 39 points after 24 games. Montreal, ranked 15th with 21 points from 23 matches, remain on that total after suffering a third consecutive defeat. Ríos was Montreal’s standout performer with an 8.0 rating, one goal and two key passes, but Charlotte’s late finish decided the contest.