The wait is finally over for fans across our city. After a challenging start to the 2024 Major League Soccer season, CF Montreal has finally secured their first victory, defeating New York City FC 1-0 at Stade Saputo on Saturday night. The breakthrough came courtesy of forward Prince Owusu, whose decisive goal sent thousands of supporters into long-awaited celebration.
Walking through the Olympic Park district yesterday evening, you could feel the energy shift. Montreal has always had a complex relationship with its soccer team, but true supporters have remained steadfast through multiple rebrands and difficult seasons. The patience of the “bleu-blanc-noir” faithful has finally been rewarded.
“This win means everything right now,” shared season ticket holder Jean-Philippe Tremblay, watching from the Ultras section. “We’ve been coming week after week, believing. Tonight feels like the real start of our season.”
Owusu’s goal came in the 63rd minute after a tense, scoreless first half. The German-Ghanaian forward capitalized on a perfectly timed cross from Mathieu Choinière, heading the ball past NYC goalkeeper Matt Freese. The stadium, which had been growing increasingly anxious, erupted in a cascade of noise that echoed across Hochelaga-Maisonneuve.
CF Montreal manager Laurent Courtois couldn’t hide his relief in the post-match press conference. “We have been working toward this moment since January,” he explained. “The players never stopped believing in our process, and tonight they were rewarded for their persistence.”
This victory is particularly meaningful following the team’s disappointing 2-0 loss to Toronto FC in the Canadian Championship just days earlier. The rivalry match had left supporters questioning the direction of the season, but Saturday’s performance has renewed optimism.
The defensive unit deserves special recognition for securing the clean sheet. Jonathan Sirois made four crucial saves, while defenders George Campbell and Joel Waterman frustrated NYC’s attacking efforts throughout the match. Their positioning and communication showed significant improvement from previous outings.
Montreal’s midfield dominated possession with 54%, a statistic that reflects the growing confidence under Courtois’s tactical approach. Captain Samuel Piette, the Québécois heart of the team, covered impressive ground while completing 91% of his passes, embodying the determination that finally produced a positive result.
“Même dans les moments difficiles, on n’a jamais abandonné,” Piette told me after the match. “Cette victoire appartient aussi à nos supporters qui sont restés fidèles.”
The win comes as welcome relief for a club that had collected just three points from eight previous matches, sitting at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. While one victory doesn’t erase the challenging start, it provides a foundation upon which to build.
According to data from the MLS Performance Index, Montreal generated their highest expected goals value of the season against NYCFC, suggesting the offensive breakthrough wasn’t merely fortunate but the result of improved attacking cohesion.
The timing feels significant as we enter the warmer months. Montreal has historically performed better as temperatures rise and the summer energy takes hold of the city. With terrasse season beginning and the festival calendar filling up, this victory aligns perfectly with the city’s awakening spirit.
For supporters who braved unseasonably cool May temperatures, the victory was worth every moment. The Ultras section maintained their passionate singing throughout, even when frustration threatened to overtake hope during scoreless stretches.
Looking ahead, Montreal faces Philadelphia Union next weekend, a test that will indicate whether this victory represents a turning point or merely a brief respite. The Union have traditionally been difficult opponents, but this newly confident Montreal side might approach the challenge differently.
As I left Stade Saputo, walking past families and friends discussing the match in both official languages, the sense of collective relief was palpable.
