Rios penalty kick spurs CF Montreal to 2-0 victory over Orlando City

MONTREAL — A 90th-minute Daniel Rios penalty helped CF Montreal to a 2-0 win over Orlando City, and a fourth straight home win Saturday.

Rios and Dangur Thorhallsson scored for Montreal (4-7-0), who leapfrogged Orlando (3-1-8) in the Eastern Conference.

Montreal controlled the tempo of the game in Saturday’s early stages. Both through possession and on the counterattack, gaps all over the field set the stage for an attacking matchup.

With two of the lowest-rated defences in the MLS, both sides embraced the game’s openness immediately. Attackers had golden scoring chances in the opening 20 minutes, but lacked the efficiency to score.

Five minutes before halftime, Montreal came closest to striking first when Brazilian defender Iago almost deflected the ball into his own goal, but hit the post instead.

Montreal’s dominance continued into the second half as the home side controlled the ball and set up shop in the Orlando final third.

However, their chances were at a premium as they struggled to get a clear sight at goal without their shots getting blocked.

With 15 minutes remaining, Prince Owusu was played through on goal by Wiki Carmona and managed to get around the goalkeeper, but his shot into a wide-open net was blocked at the last second by a desperate Iago.

The match seemed destined for a goalless draw, but Luca Petrasso found space in the penalty area and was brought down by Robin Jansson to give Montreal a chance to score from the spot.

After failing to score in his first six games, Ríos scored his second in as many matches by placing the spot kick into the top corner.

Thorhallsson sealed the victory in the match’s closing stages to double Montreal’s lead.

After picking up the ball, the Icelandic international fired a shot into the bottom right corner against his former club.

UP NEXT

Montreal: Continue homestand Wednesday against the Portland Timbers.

Orlando: Host the Philadelphia Union on Wednesday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 9, 2026.

The Canadian Press