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CF Montreal eliminated from Leagues Cup, leaving no Canadian clubs remaining in the competition
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    CF Montreal eliminated from Leagues Cup, leaving no Canadian clubs remaining in the competition

    All Canadian clubs have been eliminated from Leagues Cup play after CF Montreal fell Friday to the Philadelphia Union 2-0 in the tournament’s round-of-32.

    Both Philadelphia goals came in stoppage time, with forward Tai Baribo scoring both — one in the dying minutes of the first half, the other in the game’s 96th minute.

    Philadelphia outshot Montreal 13-8 in the match, with seven shots on goal versus only two for the Canadian club. Montreal did have the advantage in possession with 53.7 per cent.

    Union goalkeeper Andre Blake recorded the clean sheet in the win, the third of his career in Leagues Cup play.

    The Union will face FC Cincinnati in the next round of the Leagues Cup knockout stage on Aug. 13, while Montreal will resume the Major League Soccer regular season Aug. 24 at home against the New England Revolution.

    Montreal’s loss comes one day after Toronto FC fell to Inter Miami 4-3 in the knockout round and two days after the Vancouver Whitecaps were stifled 2-0 at home against Mexican club Pumas UNAM.

    Montreal head coach Laurent Courtois said after the game that he thought his club “had created enough offensively” despite Blake’s clean sheet.

    “We lacked lucidity at key moments,” Courtois said in a statement issued by CF Montreal.

    “Tonight, there were clear opportunities with few opponents in front of goal,” he said. “We need to create more. We were able to do that a few times. 

    “Tonight, we were less inspired at times than the week before. But there’s also the type of opponent you have to take into account.”

    Courtois also said the club is now hoping the break between now and the match against New England will put the team “back on the right track.”

    The Leagues Cup features 47 teams from both the MLS and Mexico’s Liga MX competing for a prize pool of US$40 million and three berths in the CONCACAF Champions Cup.

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    CF Montreal’s journey in the Leagues Cup has come to an end as they were eliminated from the competition, leaving no Canadian clubs remaining in the tournament. The Montreal-based team put up a valiant effort but ultimately fell short in their quest for glory.

    The Leagues Cup is a prestigious tournament that pits teams from Major League Soccer (MLS) against teams from Liga MX, Mexico’s top professional soccer league. It provides a unique opportunity for clubs from both countries to compete against each other and showcase their talent on an international stage.

    CF Montreal entered the competition with high hopes and aspirations of making a deep run. However, they faced tough competition from Mexican clubs and were unable to secure a spot in the later stages of the tournament. Despite their early exit, the team can take pride in their performance and the experience gained from competing against top-tier opposition.

    With CF Montreal’s elimination, there are no Canadian clubs left in the Leagues Cup, highlighting the challenges that teams from Canada face when competing against their counterparts from Mexico and the United States. However, this setback should not deter Canadian clubs from continuing to strive for success in international competitions and raising the profile of soccer in the country.

    As CF Montreal regroups and focuses on their upcoming matches in MLS, they can use their experience in the Leagues Cup as motivation to improve and grow as a team. While they may have been eliminated from the competition, their participation has provided valuable lessons and insights that can help them in their future endeavors.

    In conclusion, CF Montreal’s elimination from the Leagues Cup may be disappointing, but it serves as a reminder of the challenges and opportunities that come with competing in international tournaments. As Canadian clubs continue to develop and strengthen their presence in the soccer world, they will undoubtedly have more chances to showcase their talent and make an impact on the global stage.