Latest news with #MarcoDonadel
CTV News
01-06-2025
- General
- CTV News
Revolution score three times in second half to beat CF Montreal 3-0
CF Montreal's Giacomo Vrioni, centre, tries to get by New England Revolution's Mamadou Fofana, left, and Peyton Miller, right, during first half MLS soccer action in Montreal, Saturday, May 31, 2025. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press) CF Montreal's struggles continued Saturday night at Stade Saputo, with the Major League Soccer team dropping its fifth straight match, a 3-0 loss against the New England Revolution. New England (6-4-5) scored three times in the second half, taking advantage of a red card given to Montreal forward Giacomo Vrioni in the latter stages of the opening half. 'I just want to say that I'm proud of these guys, of how they fought for the entire game,' said CF Montreal interim head coach Marco Donadel in an abbreviated 50-second post-game press conference. 'The first half, 11 versus 11, I think that we dominated. Even at 10 versus 11, at the end of the first half and the second half. I just wanted to say that.' The Montreal bench boss refrained from taking any questions from members of the media, simply saying 'I want to stay on the bench for the next games and not be disqualified.' In addition, no players were made available post-game, with the team's media relations team calling it 'a club decision.' Donadel and the team's frustration likely stemmed from that straight red card issued to Vrioni in the 36th minute of play for what was deemed 'violent conduct' on New England defender Keegan Hughes. The former Revolution forward, who was acquired by Montreal from New England last January, and Hughes had been battling for the ball when Vrioni kicked his rival, who writhed in pain along the New England sidelines. Up to that point, Montreal had largely controlled play, outshooting New England 8-2 through the first 45 minutes and controlling possession 61 per cent of the time. However, the club failed to capitalize on its scoring chances, most notably on a chance by Caden Clark inside the box off a Dante Sealy free kick in the 23rd minute that was ultimately blocked by Revolution defender Tanner Beason. Montreal's Nathan Saliba (who accounted for the club's only shot on target of the half) and Vrioni also followed with chances of their own in the ensuing minutes. However, both of their attempts missed the target. Upon their return to the pitch for the second half, New England wasted little time profiting from their man advantage. After winning a free kick after being fouled by Montreal's Sealy, Revolution midfielder Peyton Miller accepted a cross from defender Ilay Feingold. Miller froze Montreal goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois, scoring his first career MLS goal with a left-footed deflection to the bottom right corner of the net. The Revolution doubled their lead in the 55th minute when Feingold made a run inside the right side of the box, using his left boot to beat Sirois. Feingold struck again in the dying minutes of the match, scoring from the right side of the box on a lateral feed from Miller in the 87th minute. All three of the Israeli international's goals this season have come in the past two games. With the team officially at the halfway point of its 2025 MLS season, Montreal (1-11-5) has yet to win a game on home turf (0-4-3). The club remains firmly entrenched at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, with eight points accumulated out of a possible 51. For New England, the win helped run their MLS unbeaten streak to nine games (5-0-4) dating back to April 12. It also marked the seventh straight road result for New England, tying a franchise record established in 2019. Revolution goalkeeper Aljaz Ivacic earned his seventh clean sheet of the season, helping New England improve upon its stingy defensive record since the start of this 2025 MLS campaign. The club has allowed just 14 goals through its opening 15 games, tops in the league. Piette hits 200 game mark Midfielder Samuel Piette became the first player in club history to appear in 200 career MLS games, all with Montreal. Already the franchise leader in games played, the Le Gardeur, Que. native, also paces Montreal in career starts (178) and minutes played (15,534). Saturday's match also marked the 30-year-old's 225th game across all competitions with Montreal, passing goalkeeper Evan Bush for sole possession of sixth place since the founding of the club in 1993. Card trouble In addition to Vrioni's red card, Montreal's Saliba and Joel Waterman were issued yellow cards. Both Saliba and Waterman entered the match on the MLS' caution accumulation warnings, meaning a single yellow card would likely result in a suspension for both players during the team's next match. Up next New England: Host FC Cincinnati on Saturday, June 14. Montreal: Visit the Houston Dynamo on Saturday, June 14. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 31, 2025. Jordan Stoopler, The Canadian Press
CTV News
21-05-2025
- Sport
- CTV News
Forge FC edges CF Montreal in first leg of Telus Canadian Championship quarterfinal
Rezart Rama (24) of Hamilton Forge FC jumps for a ball with Tom Pearce (3) of CF Montreal during first half Canadian Championship quarterfinal soccer action in Hamilton on Tuesday, May 20, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn HAMILTON — Another loss for CF Montreal. But this time the struggling Major League Soccer side has a chance to dig itself out of its hole. Brian Wright's 78th-minute goal lifted Forge FC to a 1-0 win over Montreal in the first leg of their Telus Canadian Championship quarterfinal Tuesday. The teams play the second leg July 9 at Stade Saputo with the Canadian Premier League team looking to oust Montreal for the second year in a row. "It's not a great performance but it's just the first half of two games," said interim Montreal coach Marco Donadel. Still, coming on the heels of a humbling 6-1 league defeat to visiting Toronto FC, the storm clouds grow over a Montreal side that is mired in the MLS Eastern Conference basement at 1-9-4. Meanwhile Forge coach Bobby Smyrniotis liked what he saw. "Today was excellent execution from the first minute to the end," he said. "Maybe we deserved a little bit more today, too. But it's a good first result." After a lacklustre first half dominated by Forge, Montreal offered more to start the second half with spells of possession. But Forge broke the deadlock with Ghanaian winger Nana Opoku Ampomah curling a glorious ball over defender Brandan Craig's head for Wright to run onto in the Montreal penalty box. Goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois came off his line but Wright beat him to the ball, flicking it over the 'keeper before heading it into the open goal. It was a rare scoring chance on the night on the artificial turf at Hamilton Stadium. Forge outshot Montreal 11-9 (3-1 in shots on target) and finished with 51 per cent possession (down from 63 per cent in the first half). Montreal defender Joel Waterman called his team's first-half performance "unacceptable in our books." "They beat us to everything, they outworked us," he added. "So there's no excuse for that. A lot better second half, I thought. … But I think you could see they wanted it more." Injuries and a congested schedule meant that the Montreal bench consisted of four forwards, two goalkeepers, one midfielder and one defender. It marks the fifth straight year that Montreal and Forge have met in cup play. Montreal won the first three of those meetings — via penalty shootout in the 2021 semifinals (8-7 after the game ended in a scoreless draw), 3-0 in the '22 quarterfinal and 2-0 in the '23 semifinal. Forge edged Montreal 3-2 in last year's two-legged quarterfinal. After dispatching Montreal last year, Forge fell to Toronto FC on the away goals rule after the two-legged semifinal finished knotted at 2-2. In the other quarterfinal Tuesday, the defending champion Vancouver Whitecaps visited Valour FC. On Wednesday, it's CPL champion Cavalry FC at Vancouver FC. Atletico Ottawa hosts York United on June 11. Semifinal matchups will be redrawn following the conclusion of the quarterfinals. Coming off a 2-2 draw May 13 against league-leading Atletico Ottawa, Forge (2-0-4) is one of only two unbeaten teams in the CPL. But wins have been hard to come by and the Hamilton side sits fourth in the eight-team league. Forge has played four straight league draws, rallying from deficits to tie three of them. Forge had the better of the first half with Montreal offering little more than hopeful long balls up the field. The CPL side outshot Montreal 4-2 but neither team managed a shot on target. Donadel made seven changes to the starting 11 beaten by Toronto. Waterman, sent off in the 21st minute Saturday, captained Montreal for the cup game with Sam Piette starting on the bench. Montreal won its preliminary-round cup matchup via penalty shootout after Giacomo Vrioni's 88th-minute goal tied the game at 2-2. Forge downed Halifax Wanderers 3-1 in its opener. Montreal was missing injured defender George Campbell and midfielders Bryce Duke, Fabian Herbers, Dominic Iankov and Hennadii Synchuk. Forge was without injured attackers Tristan Borges and Mathieu Choiniere and influential midfielder Alessandro Hojabrpour. Smyrniotis made just two changes to his starting lineup with defenders Marko Jevremovic and Malik Owolabi-Belewu returning from injury. Alexander Achinioti-Jönsson moved into the midfield from the backline to fill in for Hojabrpour. Both teams started five Canadians. The Canadian Championship winner hoists the Voyagers Cup, earns $50,000 and a berth in the CONCACAF Champions Cup. Montreal has won the cup competition five times, most recently in 2021, and finished runner-up three times. Forge made the cup final in the pandemic-delayed 2020 edition, losing to Toronto via penalty shootout in a tournament reduced to a championship game. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 20, 2025. The Canadian Press
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Montreal's Laurent Courtois becomes first Major League Soccer coach fired this season
MONTREAL (AP) — Montreal's Laurent Courtois became the first Major League Soccer coach fired since the start of the season, dismissed Monday after the team opened with four losses and a tie. Assistant coach Marco Donadel was promoted to interim coach, two days after a 3-0 defeat at Nashville. Montreal hasn't scored since an opening 3-2 loss to Atlanta on Feb. 22, the first of seven straight league road games. Courtois replaced Hernán Losada on Jan. 9, 2024, the team's 10th coach since entering MLS in 2012. Montreal finished eighth in the Eastern Conference last year with 11 wins, 13 losses and 10 draws, then lost its opening playoff match to Atlanta on penalty kicks. ___ AP soccer:
Associated Press
24-03-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Montreal's Laurent Courtois becomes first Major League Soccer coach fired this season
MONTREAL (AP) — Montreal's Laurent Courtois became the first Major League Soccer coach fired since the start of the season, dismissed Monday after the team opened with four losses and a tie. Assistant coach Marco Donadel was promoted to interim coach, two days after a 3-0 defeat at Nashville. Montreal hasn't scored since an opening 3-2 loss to Atlanta on Feb. 22, the first of seven straight league road games. Courtois replaced Hernán Losada on Jan. 9, 2024, the team's 10th coach since entering MLS in 2012. Montreal finished eighth in the Eastern Conference last year with 11 wins, 13 losses and 10 draws, then lost its opening playoff match to Atlanta on penalty kicks. ___
CBC
24-03-2025
- Sport
- CBC
CF Montréal dismisses head coach Laurent Courtois after winless start to MLS season
CF Montréal has fired head coach Laurent Courtois after a poor start to the Major League Soccer season. The club announced the move Monday, two days after Montreal (0-4-1) lost 3-0 at Nashville SC. Assistant coach Marco Donadel will take over on an interim basis. Montreal is still seeking its first win this season and hasn't scored since a season-opening 3-2 loss to Atlanta United. Courtois was hired on Jan. 9, 2024, after two seasons as head coach of Columbus Crew 2, the reserve team of MLS's Columbus Crew. The 46-year-old native of Lyon, France, helped Montreal reach the Eastern Conference wild-card round in his first season at the helm, losing at home to Atlanta. Montreal next plays Saturday at Chicago Fire as a season-opening seven-game road trip nears an end. The team plays its home opener April 12 against Charlotte FC.
