On a lively Saturday evening at Stade Saputo, CF Montréal and D.C. United battled to a 1-1 draw in a contest that encapsulated the grit and unpredictability of Major League Soccer. Both teams, languishing near the bottom of the Eastern Conference with identical records of 4 wins, 15 losses, and 8 draws, were desperate for a turnaround. Yet, after 90 minutes of end-to-end action, neither side could pull away, leaving fans with a sense of what could have been and plenty of talking points.
The night began with a sense of anticipation as both lineups featured notable changes and returning faces. For D.C. United, defender Lukas MacNaughton made his first start since early May, a much-needed boost to a backline that has struggled on the road all season. The Canadian defender wasted no time making his presence felt, winning six aerial duels and creating two chances in just 78 minutes before being replaced by Lucas Bartlett. On the other side, CF Montréal’s coach Marco Donadel handed starts to Thomas Gillier in goal and a midfield anchored by Bryce Duke and Hennadii Synchuk, hoping to spark a home resurgence.
The early exchanges saw both teams feeling each other out, but it was D.C. United’s homegrown midfielder Jackson Hopkins who broke the deadlock in the 28th minute. The 21-year-old capitalized on a clever assist from Brandon Servania, unleashing a right-footed shot from outside the box that curled into the bottom left corner. The goal marked Hopkins’ first career tally in Major League Soccer, a milestone he will surely remember. According to official match notes, Hopkins had just one shot in the game but made it count, while maintaining an impressive 81% passing accuracy. As the Black-and-Red celebrated, you could sense the relief—after all, goals have been hard to come by for a team that’s struggled to find its footing on the road, coming into the match with a 2-9-3 away record this season.
But Montreal wasn’t about to let the visitors spoil their evening. As halftime approached, the home side pressed forward and found their reward in the 41st minute. Luca Petrasso, showing composure beyond his years, finished off a slick move with a right-footed shot from the center of the box, beating D.C. United goalkeeper Luis Barraza to the bottom left corner. The goal was expertly set up by Prince Owusu, whose vision and timing caught the D.C. defense flat-footed. The stadium erupted as Petrasso’s strike leveled the score, and Montreal’s hopes for a much-needed home win were rekindled.
The match was far from a tame affair, with both teams racking up fouls and yellow cards throughout. D.C. United’s Matti Peltola, Brandon Servania, and Christian Benteke all found themselves in the referee’s book, as did CF Montréal’s Efraín Morales and Brandan Craig. The midfield battle was fierce, with neither side willing to concede ground. Christian Benteke, D.C. United’s talismanic forward, was a constant menace. He led all players with 11 duels won and managed three shots over 90 minutes, but the Montreal defense held firm, denying him a decisive moment.
As the second half unfolded, both managers turned to their benches in search of a spark. D.C. United’s coach René Weiler brought on Boris Enow for Hopkins and Jared Stroud for Servania, while Montreal introduced Matty Longstaff and Olger Escobar to freshen up the attack. The substitutions injected energy, but neither team could break the deadlock. Montreal’s Thomas Gillier and D.C. United’s Luis Barraza both made crucial saves—Gillier denying Benteke twice from close range in the first half, and Barraza stopping a late Victor Loturi effort that seemed destined for the net.
The closing minutes saw a flurry of chances and set pieces, with both sides pushing for a winner. Montreal edged the possession battle with 55.2%, but D.C. United were more aggressive going forward, registering 16 shots (three on target) compared to Montreal’s nine (also three on target). The hosts earned two corners to D.C.’s four, and both defenses were called upon to make desperate interventions as the clock ticked down. The fourth official signaled three minutes of added time in each half, but the deadlock persisted until the final whistle.
For D.C. United, the draw extended their all-time regular season record against Montreal to 10 wins, 10 losses, and 11 draws, with a 4-7-5 mark on the road in this matchup. The result, while not the victory either side craved, did offer a silver lining: both teams snapped losing streaks and showed flashes of resilience that could prove valuable as the season enters its final stretch.
After the match, D.C. United players reflected on Hopkins’ breakthrough. "It’s a fantastic moment for Jackson and for the team," said coach René Weiler. "He’s been working hard, and to see him get his first goal is a big boost for everyone." Montreal’s Marco Donadel, meanwhile, praised his squad’s response after conceding first. "We showed character to come back. The fight is there, and now we need to build on this performance."
Discipline was a recurring theme, with both squads racking up fouls in key moments. D.C. United’s Boris Enow picked up a yellow card for a bad foul in the 70th minute, while Montreal’s Morales and Craig were also cautioned. The refereeing crew had their hands full, but managed to keep tempers in check as the game threatened to boil over on several occasions.
Looking at the bigger picture, both teams remain locked on 20 points, sitting near the bottom of the standings and in need of a strong finish to salvage their campaigns. The draw does little to improve their playoff hopes, but the performances of young talents like Hopkins and Petrasso offer reasons for optimism. For D.C. United, the return of MacNaughton and the continued leadership of Benteke anchor a squad that still believes it can turn things around. Montreal, for their part, will hope that the home crowd and the emergence of players like Owusu and Petrasso can spark a late-season surge.
As the fans filtered out of Stade Saputo, there was a sense of unfinished business. Both teams showed flashes of quality and determination, but ultimately, a share of the spoils was a fair outcome. With the season winding down and every point precious, the focus now shifts to the next challenge on the horizon. For Montreal and D.C. United, the journey continues—one hard-fought draw at a time.
