Preview: CF Montreal vs. Philadelphia Union – prediction, team news, lineups

A pair of teams still looking for their first MLS wins this month will battle each other at Saputo Stadium on Saturday CF Montreal host of the Philadelphia Union.

Le CFM are second from bottom in the Eastern Conference after a 4-1 defeat to the Colorado Rapids, leaving them one point behind the Union, who are 11th after a 2-0 defeat to Charlotte FC.

Match example

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The past three months in La Belle Province have been littered with disappointing results as Montreal has won just two of their last sixteen domestic games.

It’s not what many at the club had in mind when they hired Laurent Courtois as head coach after the Frenchman guided Columbus Crew II to their first-ever championship last season.

Le CFM failed to win five regular season games this season when he scored the opening goal, dropping twelve points.

Those dropped points could play a big role in their quest to reach the play-offs for the first time since 2022. Currently, they are two points lower in the Eastern Conference, with five teams above them.

Defensively, this team has been a mess throughout the entire domestic season. Through 19 days in MLS, they have conceded 41 goals, more than any team in the Eastern Conference this year.

They were at their best on home soil, claiming points in four consecutive league games played in Montreal, with 10 of their 19 points coming at Saputo Stadium.

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One of the most puzzling teams in MLS this year was the Philadelphia Union, who remain below the playoff line after 19 MLS games.

It’s very strange to see them in this position, with Philly finishing in the top four of the Eastern Conference in five consecutive regular-season campaigns while qualifying for the postseason six straight times.

Jim Curtin‘s men have lost three league matches in a row, making it their longest losing streak in the competition this year.

The last time this team suffered at least three straight MLS losses, the Union failed to reach the postseason (2017).

Their current six-match winless streak is just two short of their 2017 streak and one more than their longest streak without a win in this competition last year.

Two of their last three visits to Saputo Stadium have ended in defeat for Philly, who have conceded a total of seven goals to Montreal in those two losses.

CF Montreal Major League Soccer format:

Philadelphia Union Major League Soccer format:

Team news

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In their match against the Rapids, Le CFM was without Ousman Jabang due to a sore hamstring, while Logan Ketterer sat out with an ankle injury.

Joaquin Sosa is eligible to return from his suspension, but Samuel Piette And Joel Waterman will still be away at the Copa America just like Canada Ariel Lassiterwho is part of the Costa Rican team.

An own goal by Lalas Abubakar was the only bright spot for Montreal last weekend Jonathan Sirois conceded as many goals as he had allowed in his previous three MLS encounters combined.

Andre Blake And Isiah LeFlore missed another appearance for the Union last weekend due to knee injuries Alejandro Bedoya did not occur due to a quad problem.

Hungary has been eliminated from the 2024 European Championship, but Daniel Gaza Day He may still not be available on Saturday Damion Lowe is at the Copa America representing Jamaica and José Martinez is with Venezuela.

Homegrown player Andreas Rik like him, made his MLS debut between the sticks for the Union against Charlotte C.J. Olneywhich took its place Leon Flach with less than 20 minutes to go.

Possible starting lineup of CF Montreal:
Sirois; Sosa, Corbo, Alvarez; Ruan, Saliba, Hertog, Edwards; Opoku, Ibrahim, Toye

Possible starting lineup of Philadelphia Union:
Semmel; Harriel, Glesnes, Elliott, Wagner; Flach; Sullivan, Bueno; McGlynn; Um, Donovan

We say: CF Montreal 1-0 Philadelphia Union

Both teams have been poor throughout the domestic campaign, but of late Montreal has shown they can get results at home. That’s why we’re giving them a small lead in this match.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match, click here.

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