Sporting Montreal gain plenty of international experience at Copa Independencia

Sporting Montreal Futsal Club earned their first international win at the Copa Independencia in Costa Rica last week. Full results inside.

In their first competition since their rebranding from Sporting Outlaws FC to Sporting Montreal, the Canadian champions opened up the four team competition against Colombian champions Saeta Bogota FC. It was a difficult battle against one of South America’s best futsal clubs but Les Bleus gave a valiant effort in a 5-1 loss.

On match day 2 they faced the champions from El Salvador, Soyapango FC, who were coming off a bronze medal performance at last month’s CONCACAF Futsal Club Championship. Despite going down 2-1 early on it was a goal by young star Diia Abzi that fired the momentum in Sporting’s favour en route to a 4-3 victory.

The win setup a crucial showdown with hosts and Costa Rican powerhouse, Joma Extremos Futsal with the winner advancing to the final against Bogota.

Both teams delivered an intensely fought battle but in the end it was the hosts just edging out Sporting by a goal in a 4-3 finish.

Montreal finished the tournament in third place and come home having gained valuable confidence and experience for their young squad who will return to play in the PLFQ this fall.