Orlando City Stumbles to 1-1 Draw Against Struggling CF Montreal

Orlando, USA - In a match that left Orlando City fans feeling frustrated, the team managed only a 1-1 draw against CF Montreal at the Inter&Co Stadium on July 14, 2025. Facing a team struggling at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, this result was more of a letdown than a triumph for Orlando, especially after Martin Ojeda’s stellar free-kick goal in the 28th minute opened the scoring for the home side. Montreal equalized late in the game, with Prince Owusu converting a penalty in the 83rd minute after a foul by Rodrigo Schlegel.

With key players like Pedro Gallese and Robin Jansson serving suspensions, Orlando City had to lean on their bench. Goalkeeper Javier Otero stepped into the spotlight but ended the match without making a single save, a detail that underlines the match’s missed opportunities for success. Head coach Oscar Pareja must be shaking his head at the thought of not capitalizing against a side that has struggled all season.

Key Moments in the Match

Ojeda’s goal from a well-chosen free-kick highlighted his impressive form, making it eight consecutive matches with a contribution to the scoreline—two goals and six assists to his name. Alas, that lead wouldn’t hold as Montreal’s Owusu was gifted a chance at redemption when he was fouled inside the box, allowing him to score from the spot. This crucial moment came with only minutes remaining, illustrating how quickly fortunes can change in soccer.

The stats paint a dismal picture for Montreal; with a current record of 3 wins, 13 losses, and 7 draws, they sit firmly at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. Their goal differential of minus-22 ties them with D.C. United for the worst in the league. Conversely, despite their dominant start to the game, Orlando found themselves winless in their last three matches, with a record of 9 wins, 5 losses, and 8 draws overall.

Performance Grades at a Glance

In the wake of the match, each player’s performance was closely scrutinized:

Indeed, Ojeda’s impressive consistent form has been a silver lining this season for Orlando. Yet, as they head into their next fixtures, players and fans alike are undoubtedly hoping for more than just the same old song—a need for a change in fortunes, and perhaps even a shift in league standing too.

Conclusion

With Orlando City currently positioned 9th out of 30 teams in the league, there’s still time for the team to bounce back. Yet, the pressure is on as they contemplate their upcoming games. After all, as the old saying goes, ‘hope dies last,’ and there’s still plenty of season left for City to turn around their trajectory. On the other side, Montreal might take heart from this late equalizer, but will it be enough to spark a true turnaround in their season?

As we move forward, let’s keep our eyes on both squads: Orlando with aspirations of playoff contention and Montreal desperately seeking any glimmer of hope amidst a challenging campaign. The story continues next time on the pitch!