Past events mirroring old occurrences

Rewritten Article:

(Montreal) It ain't on CF Montreal to shirk from a fight against Philadelphia Union. They gave 'em one helluva struggle on Saturday night, even dominating the game for most of it. But in the end, the Montreal squad is still huntin' for their first win of the season.

Nicholas Richard, our website, CF Montreal put on another performance where the final score didn't reflect their on-field dominance. Philadelphia won 2-1 in the end, but that's the only stat that matters, as head coach Marco Donadel pointed out after the game.

However, another stat tells a different story. By the time the final whistle blew, CFM had attempted 14 shots on goal, only three of which reached goalkeeper Andre Blake. That's not enough to secure a victory.

On the other hand, Philadelphia scored four of their eight shots on goal. To add salt to the wound, Montreal ended the game with an expected goals (xG) of 1.9, compared to Philadelphia's 0.7. Yet, CF Montreal lost for the eighth time in 11 games.

Despite the loss, CF Montreal displayed some encouraging signs, particularly in their teamwork. They worked together to push the ball to the forwards, but as has happened too often in 2025, the players supposed to score missed their chances.

Prince Owusu, for example, had half a dozen opportunities to score, but none were successful. In the 70th minute, he found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but he froze, fumbling the ball and allowing the Union defenders to snuff out the threat.

Defenders Tom Pearce and Dante Sealy also missed good chances, alongside Giacomo Vrioni.

The Bright Spots

For almost 90 minutes, CF Montreal controlled the pace of the game against a Philadelphia team ranked third in the Eastern Conference before the match. "We're not getting rolled over in games," Nathan Saliba noted after the match. "We're getting closer and closer to our goal. We just need that finishing touch to get results."

Montreal was undone by two moments of generosity. In the second minute, Indiana Vassilev found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper after a mistake by Fernando Alvarez, and he scored. Then, in the 84th minute, Mikael Uhre inherited a loose ball and put it in the net, deciding an otherwise impressive Montreal performance in the second half.

The team showed many encouraging signs, including Giacomo Vrioni's performance. The designated player made his MLS comeback, having last played on April 12. The 26-year-old attacker, playing with a knee brace, scored Montreal's first goal at Saputo Stadium in 2025.

In the dying moments of the first half, CFM was awarded a corner kick. After a brief setup, the ball ended up at the feet of Vrioni, who scored, leveling the game.

In the second half, Union barely touched the ball. For 45 minutes, CF Montreal played with intent and determination. However, the team seemed reluctant to score.

Doubts and Disappointments

After the game, Donadel had little to say to the media representatives and even less to say to his players. "There's not much to say," he admitted. "The players know what they're doing and what they need to deliver on the field. They've started to complain, make small mistakes, and they know it. I don't know what to say."

Montreal has equaled a MLS record for the most matches without a win to start a season, with 11.

Like their coach, the CFM players had difficulty hiding their frustration in the final moments of the match when the cause seemed lost. Joel Waterman, in particular, looked like he wanted to vent his anger on anyone and anything.

The team had its chances, maybe even lacked a bit of luck, but Montreal's lineup has never scored more goals than their opponent in a single match in 2025, and that's all that matters.

(Enrichment Data) CF Montréal's struggles in the 2025 MLS season are largely down to two factors: inefficiency in converting chances and late-game vulnerabilities:

1. Wastefulness in attack: The team has the league's worst goal-converting rate, a result of missed opportunities, such as their disallowed goal and numerous chances in the 0-0 draw against Orlando City.2. Defensive lapses: While praised for defensive improvements, they concede crucial late goals, as seen in the 2-1 loss to Philadelphia Union, where Mikael Uhre’s late winner decided the match.3. Psychological toll: Captain Samuel Piette highlighted the team's frustration with "leaving points on the table" despite dominating play, suggesting a confidence gap in high-pressure moments.

The combination of poor finishing, momentary defensive breakdowns, and an inability to convert dominance into results has left Montréal winless at home (0-8-3 record) and dwelling at the bottom of the standings.

Montreal's struggle against Philadelphia Union, ranked third in the Eastern Conference, showcased their consistent dominance in sports, despite not securing a win in 11 games.
Giacomo Vrioni, CF Montreal's designated player, returned to MLS and provided a bright spot for the team in their 2-1 loss to Philadelphia Union, scoring the first goal at Saputo Stadium in 2025.
Despite their impressive dominance and numerous attempts on goal, Montreal's lack of finishing touch has been a consistent issue, as exemplified by the failed opportunities of Prince Owusu, Tom Pearce, Dante Sealy, and Giacomo Vrioni.
The European-leagues' premier-league standards seem far off for Montreal, as they equal an MLS record for the most matches without a win to start a season, with 11 games finished without victory.
In the face of their disappointing results, Montreal players, like Joel Waterman, appear frustrated, raising questions about their confidence and mental toughness in high-pressure moments, a potential reason for their inability to convert dominance into results.