ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½

“It was a very balanced game. We were trying to play more with the ball and go down step by step, and they were more direct because they have different qualities,â€� said Montreal’s interim head coach Marco Donadel.

“I think that we missed a bit of quality in the final third, for example. We didn’t attack the second post properly, we had so many chances there.�

Despite enjoying the majority of possession in the opening stages of the Major League Soccer match, Montreal struggled to build out of the back, with D.C. relying on a compact block in the middle of the field. With the state of play seemingly at a standstill, both teams only had a single chance, forcing excellent saves from each goalkeeper.

Since he arrived in the American capital city, Christian Benteke has become one of MLS’ most dominant and consistent attackers. The former Belgian International has scored 48 goals in 93 games and has become the focal point of the D.C. attack, so much so that teams now plan their entire defensive structure around marking him.

While they successfully kept Benteke at bay for the entire game, D.C. would strike first when Hopkins pounced on a loose ball in the middle of the park just before the half-hour mark. After driving forward, he unleashed a powerful shot into the bottom right corner beyond the reach of Thomas Gillier’s outstretched hand.

“We knew coming into the game how D.C. wants to play, just launch the ball up to Benteke and just fight over second balls, that’s kind of the way they scored on us,� said Petrasso. “There are games like this that aren’t very pretty to play, and we had spells with the ball, but they did a good job of sitting back low.�

Looking for an immediate reply, Montreal began throwing numbers forward and were able to score an equalizer five minutes before halftime. After forcing a turnover deep in D.C.’s half, Prince Owusu launched a counterattack before sliding the ball into Petrasso on his left, who made no mistake.

The second half progressed in a similar fashion as Montreal held on to the ball even more, while D.C. dared the hosts to break down a staunchly organized low block. Montreal had a number of chances in the second frame, even a goal from Prince Owusu that was called back for offside, but the final touch — as it has for most of the season — could not be provided.

“I think that we deserved more in the first half. We started the second half well. I think that we were a bit more predictable, because they closed very well wide,� said Donadel. “We didn’t have the same courage and quality in the middle to try to go through in the middle, and we lost a bit of energy.�

As the game wound down to its closing stages, it was D.C.’s turn to look for the winner, capitalizing on Montreal’s tired legs and forcing Montreal to retreat into a defensive shell of its own.

The match also saw Matty Longstaff register his first minutes for Montreal after being acquired via trade from rival ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½ FC. The English midfielder played 57 games for ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½, picking up three goals and three assists.

“I just tried to get on the ball and progress it as much as I could. We got good midfielders here … I’ve really enjoyed playing with them,� said Longstaff.

“We were a tight-knit group (in ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½), so it’s obviously sad when you leave one place. It’s weird, for the last year-and-a-half, I’ve had the media and the fans telling me to hate Montreal, and obviously now I’m getting told to hate ÎÚÑ»´«Ã½.â€�

UP NEXT

D.C. United: Hosts Inter Miami on Saturday, Aug. 23.

CF Montreal: Hosts Austin FC on Saturday, Aug. 23. 

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 16, 2025.