POST MATCH PRESS CONFERENCE:Coach Hernán | Jonathan | WANYAMA

In one of the most dramatic finishes of the season so far, CF Montréal secured a vital victory over the Philadelphia Union after a chaotic closing stretch dominated by VAR decisions, late goals, and relentless determination.

The match, tense from the opening whistle, erupted in controversy during the final minutes when Montréal’s decisive strike was initially ruled offside. After heated protests from players and staff — and with technology intervening twice — the referee overturned the decision, awarding the hosts a goal that sealed all three points.

Head coach Hernán Losada admitted the closing stages tested everyone’s nerves. “To be honest, I didn’t see the pictures myself,” Losada said. “I was told there was a Philadelphia player keeping the play onside near the post. At first it seemed missed, but fortunately VAR gave the referee a second look, and he made the right call. We’re all human — mistakes happen — but for the beauty of the sport and for us tonight, the right decision was made.”

The coach emphasized that the most rewarding part was his team’s mentality. “When we equalized 2-2, we didn’t stop. We kept pushing because we believed we could win. That’s football, and that’s the least we can give to our fans who were here supporting us.”

Losada also highlighted the performances of Mathieu Choinière and Lassi Lappalainen, who were deployed in unfamiliar wing-back roles to exploit Philadelphia’s diamond midfield. “Mathieu is phenomenal — wherever he plays, he performs. He always puts the team first,” Losada said. “For Lassi, I know he’s not yet at 100 percent physically, but playing him on the right gave him the chance to use his best foot for crosses. Against a diamond midfield, the wide spaces are crucial, and that was our plan.”

Midfielder Victor Wanyama praised his teammates’ fighting spirit, noting how the squad has grown from similar setbacks in the past. “Last year, in a similar situation when the opponent went down a man, we didn’t come back. This time we showed mental strength to keep pushing,” Wanyama explained. “We knew even a draw wasn’t enough at home, so we fought for the win — and we got it.”

Substitute Chinonso Offor also drew praise for his impact off the bench. “Offor brings a different style — strong, physical, always pressing defenders. Tonight he opened things up for us when we needed it most,” Wanyama added.

Defender Joel Waterman admitted the VAR confusion left players in the dark. “Honestly, I didn’t really know what was going on. After a while, I just tried to stay focused because whether it was offside or not, we still had minutes to play. Thankfully, the right call was made, and we made it count.”

Goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois highlighted the benefits of consistency at the back. “It’s our second game in a row with the same center-back pairing, and that stability helps. We’re progressing every match, but we know we still have things to improve.”

For Wanyama, the night also reflected the hunger of the club’s younger players. “They make mistakes, of course, but they keep showing up. They want to learn and improve, and that’s a great sign for the future of this team.”

After a difficult start to the season, this victory may serve as a psychological boost. The mood in the dressing room was described as electric, with players and staff embracing at the final whistle.

As Losada summed it up: “The most beautiful thing tonight wasn’t just the three points — it was the way we fought for them. That’s the identity we want: resilient, determined, and united.”

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