Mendez, Dike score for Orlando in 2-0 win over Montreal

MONTREAL (AP) — Sebastian Mendez and Daryl Dike put an end to CF Montreal’s playoff aspirations Sunday with goals that gave Orlando City FC a 2-0 win.

Orlando (12-9-13) will face New York City FC in the first round of the playoffs.

With Montreal (12-11-11) needing a win and Orlando only requiring a point to make the playoffs, both teams wasted no time looking for the opener and provided an offensive show.

At the 16-minute mark, CF Montreal’s Zachary Brault-Guillard set up Sunusi Ibrahim with an open net, but the ball got caught in between his legs. Less than five minutes later, Montreal’s Djorde Mihaillovic played Joaquin Torres in perfectly, forcing a save from Pedro Gallese.

At the 37-minute mark, a Robin Jansson free kick almost gave Orlando the lead as it deflected off the post from 30 yards out.

Less two minutes later, Montreal responded when Brault-Guillard played in Ibrahim who scored, but it was called back for offside.

At the beginning of the second half, Montreal continued to push for the game’s first goal, but to no avail.

Just before the hour mark, Mendez found the ball on the right of the box and sent the ball into the top corner of the net.

Only three minutes later, Montreal believed it had drawn even when Romell Quioto smashed home Rudy Camacho’s cross. But it was also called back for offside, although indications were he was clearly onside.

Adding more fuel to the fire, Camacho went diving into a tackle on Dike with his studs up, resulting in Camacho being sent off.

Orlando’s second goal came when Dike went around goalkeeper Sebastian Breza and passing the ball in.

Montreal will now turn its attention to the Canadian Championship final against Toronto FC.