With their playoff destiny back in their hands, CF Montreal travel to Bank of America Stadium on Saturday to face Charlotte FC in the second-last match of the MLS campaign for both sides.
The Crown officially locked up a post-season berth in the Eastern Conference thanks to a 4-3 win over the Chicago Fire, and Le CFM moved above the playoff line with a narrow 2-1 triumph versus Atlanta United.
Match preview
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Charlotte were firing on all cylinders in the early-going Wednesday, scoring three times in the opening 45 minutes and holding on for a narrow triumph.
Not only did that victory lock up a playoff spot for Dean Smith's men, but they are now on 45 points, surpassing their previous best mark in a single MLS campaign from 2023 (43).
This month, Charlotte have come to life in the attacking third at home, scoring four goals in each of their previous two regular-season fixtures at Bank of America Stadium.
Those combined eight goals are as many as this side netted in their previous nine MLS encounters played in North Carolina.
A victory this weekend would equal a single-season club record for the most ever, a mark they set in their inaugural MLS campaign in 2022.
Charlotte FC are undefeated in their last three regular-season home contests against sides from Canada, including a 3-2 victory versus Toronto earlier this year.
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In Montreal, a season that appeared to be all but over weeks ago suddenly has life at the most critical juncture of the campaign.
Laurent Courtois has guided this group to a five-game MLS unbeaten run, with his side currently eighth in the East with 40 points.
That puts them three points above the playoff line and in a position to potentially book a spot in the post-season should they win this match and the Philadelphia Union fail to win theirs.
Heading into this encounter, Le CFM are winless in 12 successive away matches in this competition, with their last MLS victory as the visitors coming in March at Inter Miami (3-2).
A win on Saturday would end that lengthy winless run and give them 43 points, exceeding their total from the previous domestic season (41).
Le CFM have never lost or conceded a goal at Bank of America Stadium, defeating Charlotte 2-0 in 2022 and claiming a 0-0 draw in this exact fixture a season ago.
Team News
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A sore hip kept Jahlane Forbes off the field for the Crown on Wednesday, while Nikola Petkovic suffered a knee injury in training and will likely be forced out of this contest.
Earlier this week, the club reached an agreement with first-choice goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlina, signing the Croatian until 2027 with an option for 2028.
Karol Swiderski notched a first-half brace against the Fire, with Junior Urso and Liel Abada also finding the back of the net.
Montreal were once again without midfielder Lassi Lappalainen, with the Finnish midfielder sitting out of their midweek fixture because of a lower-body injury.
We saw the same starting 11 for them from their previous encounter with the San Jose Earthquakes, with Joaquin Sosa an unused substitute and seeking a return to the lineup since his knock.
Josef Martinez has come to life in the attacking third, with five goals in his last three games and netting a second successive brace on Wednesday.
Charlotte FC possible starting lineup:
Kahlina; Byrne, Malanda, Privett, Ream; Urso, Westwood; Biel, Vargas, Abada; Swiderski
CF Montreal possible starting lineup:
Sirois; Campbell, Waterman, Alvarez; Marshall-Rutty, Piette, Saliba, Edwards; Clark, Duke; Martinez
We say: Charlotte FC 1-2 CF Montreal
Montreal have found another gear over the past few weeks, and we believe that desperation will carry over into this weekend against Charlotte, who may be a little comfortable knowing their place in the post-season is assured.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Joel Lefevre
