A pair of sides still seeking their first MLS wins this month will square off at Saputo Stadium on Saturday as CF Montreal host the Philadelphia Union.
Le CFM are second from bottom in the Eastern Conference owing to a 4-1 loss to the Colorado Rapids, putting them a point behind the Union, who are 11th after a 2-0 defeat against Charlotte FC.
Match preview
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The last three months in La Belle Province have been littered with disappointing results, as Montreal have won just two of their last 16 domestic affairs.
It is not what many at the club had envisioned when they hired Laurent Courtois as the head coach after the Frenchman guided Columbus Crew II to their first-ever championship last season.
Le CFM have failed to win five regular-season contests this season when scoring the opening going, dropping 12 points as a result.
Those dropped points could loom large in their quest to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2022, as they currently sit two points below that line in the Eastern Conference, with five teams above them.
Defensively, this team have been a mess throughout the domestic campaign, conceding 41 times after 19 MLS matchdays, more than anyone in the Eastern Conference this year.
They have been at their best on home soil, claiming points in four successive league contests played in Montreal, with 10 of their 19 points coming at Saputo Stadium.
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One of the most puzzling sides in MLS this year has been the Philadelphia Union, who remain below the playoff line after 19 MLS fixtures.
It is 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 post-season on six successive occasions.
Jim Curtin's men have lost three consecutive league fixtures, making it their longest losing run in the competition this year.
The last time this team had suffered at least three consecutive MLS defeats, the Union failed to make the post-season (2017).
Their current six-match winless run is only two fewer than their streak from 2017 and one more than their longest run without a triumph in this competition from last year.
Two of their last three visits to Saputo Stadium have ended in defeat for Philly, who conceded a combined seven goals to Montreal in those two losses.
Team News
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In their match with the Rapids, Le CFM were without Ousman Jabang because of 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 with Canada at the Copa America, as will Ariel Lassiter, who is a part of the Costa Rican squad.
An own goal by Lalas Abubakar was the lone bright spot for Montreal last weekend as Jonathan Sirois conceded as many goals as he had allowed in his previous three MLS encounters combined.
Andre Blake and Isiah LeFlore missed another outing for the Union last weekend due to knee injuries, while Alejandro Bedoya did not feature because of a quad issue.
Hungary have been eliminated from Euro 2024, but Daniel Gazdag might still be unavailable on Saturday, while Damion Lowe is at the Copa America representing Jamaica and Jose Martinez is with Venezuela.
Home-grown player Andrew Rick made his MLS debut between the sticks for the Union against Charlotte, as did CJ Olney, who replaced Leon Flach with fewer than 20 minutes remaining.
CF Montreal possible starting lineup:
Sirois; Sosa, Corbo, Alvarez; Ruan, Saliba, Duke, Edwards; Opoku, Ibrahim, Toye
Philadelphia Union possible starting lineup:
Semmle; Harriel, Glesnes, Elliott, Wagner; Flach; Sullivan, Bueno; McGlynn; Uhre, Donovan
We say: CF Montreal 1-0 Philadelphia Union
Both sides have been poor throughout the domestic campaign, but lately Montreal have shown they can earn results at home, which is why we are giving them a slight edge in this match.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
