MONTREAL – This was a match where CF Montreal couldn’t afford to merely come close. Not against such a weak opponent, and certainly not with so much on the line.
For 45 minutes, the potential for success loomed like a gray cloud over Stade Saputo. The home team entered halftime with 11 shots on goal, seven of which were on target, yet they could not score.
“Personally, I knew it would come, I felt it,” Caden Clark said, who was set to testify after the game. “The only question was how many goals we would score—one, two, or three?”
The young player’s intuition proved correct. Despite feeling tense as they left the locker room, the Montreal players exploited their chances against the San Jose Earthquakes, achieving a convincing 3-0 victory to keep themselves firmly in the playoff race in the Eastern Conference.
Josef Martínez netted two goals within the first ten minutes of the second half, while Clark continued his impressive form by scoring in a third consecutive home game.
With this well-deserved win, Laurent Courtois’ team has now gained ten points from the last twelve available.
Among the six teams vying for the last two playoff spots in the East, CF Montreal was the only one to secure a victory on Saturday. They now occupy 10th place, sharing the same total points (37) as Toronto and Philadelphia, who played to draws against Chicago and Atlanta, respectively.
“The ten points we’ve just amassed give a huge boost to our confidence as we look forward to the two big matches ahead of us [in Charlotte and Atlanta],” commented Bryce Duke, who recorded two assists against San Jose. “Mentally, we know we can go there and earn points.”
“Since Day 1, even during the tough times, I always believed we could make the playoffs,” the midfielder continued. “There is no doubt in my mind. Our recent performances are proof to those who doubted us that we can achieve it.”
CF Montreal would not be in a position to dream of extending its season if they hadn’t tightened up their defense. After conceding heavy losses of 5-0 and 4-1 following a break due to the League Cup, they allowed only three goals in their next four matches. With Joel Waterman back anchoring the defense, Courtois’ XI achieved a second consecutive shutout on Saturday.
Additionally, the offensive sparks from the Bleu-Blanc-Noir resemble those of a long-lost era. This resurgence coincides with the decision to pair Martínez, Clark, and Duke at the forefront of their tactical setup. Since the victory over Charlotte, the trio has collectively contributed twelve goals and assists.
Against San Jose, Martínez took the lead as the main offensive threat. The Venezuelan striker launched three shots in the first half, missing several good opportunities to score in the final moments of the half.
His luck changed in the 51st minute when he scored with a header from a corner delivered by Duke, relieving the pressure in a packed, energetic stadium. Four minutes later, he seized a pass from Clark at the edge of the area and skillfully slotted a precise shot between the goalkeeper Daniel and the post.
Montreal thus scored at least two goals for the fourth consecutive game, marking their longest streak of the season.
Clark continued the celebration by scoring in the 71st minute, capping off a play initiated by Dawid Bugaj and Duke. Since joining the Impact, the young American has been on a roll, now directly contributing to six goals in his last four matches.
“[Bryce and I] are the same player in different bodies,” Clark noted. “We think alike and look for the same spaces, so I know where to position myself when he has the ball and vice versa.”
“I believe we all share the same mentality in how we want to play,” added Duke, referencing Martínez as well. “We understand each other’s movements. For me, the most important aspect is to play matches with the same three guys up front. We’ve performed well in our recent games and are starting to develop chemistry. I’m really enjoying it, to be honest. I’m having fun, and I think everyone else is too.”
CF Montreal Secures a Crucial 3-0 Victory Against San Jose Earthquakes
MONTREAL – It was the kind of match where CF Montreal couldn’t just come close. Not against such a weak opponent, not with so much at stake.
For 45 minutes, possibility hung like a gray cloud above Stade Saputo. The hosts arrived at the intermission with 11 shots on goal, including seven on target, but were unable to break the ice.
“Personally, I knew it was coming,” Caden Clark commented after the match. “The only question was whether we would end up putting one, two or three.”
CFS Montreal’s Dominance in the Second Half
The young maestro’s intuition did not deceive him. With their teeth still tightly clenched, Montrealers returned from the locker room and imposed the law of average on the San Jose Earthquakes, sealing a solid 3-0 victory to stay in the race for a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference.
Quick-strike Goals by Josef Martínez
Josef Martínez scored twice within the first ten minutes of the second period, before Clark capped off the offensive display with a goal of his own, marking his third consecutive home game with a score.
Current Standings and Impact’s Progress
With this emphatic victory, Laurent Courtois’ men have now collected ten points out of the last twelve available. Among the six teams vying for the last two playoff spots in the East, CF Montreal is the only team that emerged victorious on Saturday, climbing to 10th place with 37 points, tied with both Toronto and Philadelphia.
Boosting Confidence for Upcoming Matches
“These ten points that we have just collected, I believe that they enormously boost our confidence in anticipation of the big matches that await us,” commented Bryce Duke, who provided two assists against San Jose. “Mentally, we know that we can go there and bring home points.”
Duke further emphasized, “Since Day 1, despite the difficult times we experienced, I always believed that we could participate in the playoffs. There is no doubt in my mind.”
Defensive Strength Is Key
CF Montreal would not be dreaming of extending its season had it not tightened up defensively. After conceding devastating losses of 5-0 and 4-1 following a break for the League Cup, they have conceded only three goals in their last four matches. With player Joel Waterman back in the middle of defense, Courtois’ lineup achieved a second consecutive shutout against San Jose.
Offensive Pyrotechnics and Team Chemistry
The offensive sparks that lit up Stade Saputo are a refreshing sight for fans, coinciding with the strategic pairing of Martínez, Clark, and Duke at the top. Since their victory against Charlotte, this trio has accounted for a collective twelve goals and assists.
Josef Martínez: The Arsonist
On Saturday, Martínez took center stage, firing off three shots in the first half alone, missing key opportunities that could have opened the scoring just before the interval. His luck changed when he headed in a corner delivered by Duke in the 51st minute, relieving the growing tension in the stadium.
Just four minutes later, he capitalized on a pass from Clark to effortlessly slot a precise shot between the overlapping San Jose goalkeeper and his near post.
Consistency in Scoring
This victory marked the fourth consecutive match in which Montreal scored two goals, highlighting their longest scoring streak of the season.
Caden Clark Shines Bright
Caden Clark continued his impressive run by netting a goal, completing a crafty play involving Dawid Bugaj and Duke in the 71st minute. Since joining the Impact, Clark has directly contributed to six goals in his last four games.
The Dynamic Duo
“[Bryce and I] are the same player in different bodies,” Clark noted. “We have the same things in mind, we look for the same spaces.”
Shared Understanding
Duke echoed Clark’s sentiments, stating, “We all have the same mentality in how we want to play. We understand each other’s movements, and for me, the most important thing is to play matches with this same trio up front.” He further remarked, “We are developing chemistry, and I am having a lot of fun.”
Match Statistics
| Stat | CF Montreal | San Jose Earthquakes |
|---|---|---|
| Shots on Goal | 18 | 5 |
| Goals | 3 | 0 |
| Possession (%) | 60% | 40% |
| Corners | 7 | 1 |
Looking Ahead
With this win against San Jose, CF Montreal has revitalized its playoff push in the Eastern Conference. As the final stretch of the season approaches, maintaining this performance level will be critical as they face tough opponents like Charlotte and Atlanta in the coming weeks. Their combination of a robust defense and an electrifying attack could be the key to securing those precious playoff spots.
