CF Montréal pulled off one of the biggest surprises of Leagues Cup 2025 by defeating Mexico’s Club León 7-6 on penalties after a thrilling 1-1 draw at Stade Saputo. Forward Prince Owusu delivered a second-half equalizer that set the tone for a momentum-shifting performance, as Montréal began their campaign in dramatic fashion. Entering the tournament as underdogs, CFMTL stunned the star-studded León side, taking two of three points in Phase One.

Rodrigo Funes Mori opened the scoring early for León, heading home a pinpoint cross from Colombian international James Rodríguez in the 11th minute. But Montréal refused to back down. They maintained pressure and intensity, eventually finding the breakthrough in the 62nd minute when Owusu latched onto a through ball from Dante Sealy and calmly slotted the ball past the goalkeeper to level the match.

Owusu Continues Hot Streak
This goal was Owusu’s tenth in his last ten appearances across all competitions, reinforcing his value during a challenging MLS season for Montréal. The former Toronto FC striker has emerged as a standout performer for a club currently sitting at the bottom of the Eastern Conference. Interim coach Marco Donadel praised his team’s energy, saying the performance was among the best of their season. In the penalty shootout, both teams converted until the seventh round, when León’s Sebastián Santos struck the crossbar, handing Montréal a vital victory.

Path Forward in Leagues Cup
With only four MLS Eastern Conference teams advancing from Phase One, CF Montréal’s win sets them up for a possible spot in the knockout rounds. Their next test comes Friday as they travel to face Toluca, the reigning LIGA MX champions, at Sports Illustrated Stadium, home of the New York Red Bulls. Donadel expressed confidence that the team’s rising form will continue into the next match, emphasizing that small improvements are key to success at this level. As CF Montréal look to turn around their season, this Leagues Cup win could be a defining moment.