Over a month after these two teams completed a blockbuster deal near the end of the previous transfer window, CF Montreal and Inter Miami will meet on Saturday at Saputo Stadium.
As it stands right now, both teams are outside the MLS playoff picture after Le CFM were beaten 2-1 by the New York Red Bulls last weekend, dropping below the Herons via goal difference with the latter losing their previous league fixture 3-1 versus Orlando City.
Match preview
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It was a nice run for Montreal for a few weeks, but based on recent results, Hernan Losada might need to go back to the drawing board as his side have dropped back-to-back domestic fixtures following a six-match winning run in all competitions.
That is the kind of roller coaster ride it has been for this team in 2023, which perhaps should not be surprising when we consider their Argentine boss likes to play with verticality, but unfortunately, what goes up must come down.
While they are one of many sides to lose at FC Cincinnati (3-0) this year, Le CFM have not been able to respond well all season when conceding first, scoring just once when trailing 1-0, though that equalising goal last weekend against the Red Bulls lasted less than 10 minutes.
Mental errors and miscommunication have been an issue for them at times this year, and that was the case last weekend as they allowed far too many quality opportunities to a New York side without much attacking prowess.
Montreal come into this contest, however, on a five-match winning run at Saputo Stadium, without a goal conceded over that stretch, advancing to the Canadian Championship final on Wednesday with a 2-0 home victory over Forge.
They have never lost a home fixture against the Herons, though Montreal did squander a pair of one-goal leads the previous time they played them last season in La Belle Province, drawing 2-2.
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Distinguishing between Montreal and Inter Miami has proven to be difficult as they have each followed a similar trajectory throughout the campaign, and for Phil Neville's side, that trajectory is also heading downward at the moment.
A run of four straight wins in all competitions has been followed up with back-to-back MLS defeats as this group have looked flat from the opening whistle in losses versus Nashville SC (2-1) and the Lions.
They managed to avenge that defeat to Nashville earlier this week, though, advancing into the last eight of the US Open Cup thanks to a 2-1 victory.
Coming into this encounter, Miami have lost five of their six MLS road fixtures in 2023, failing to find the back of the net in four of those defeats.
Historically, they have only emerged victorious in two of their regular-season visits to Canada, the last one coming in September 2022 when they blanked Toronto 1-0.
Finding consistency and depth has not been easy for the Herons, who are missing numerous gifted midfielders, making them a relatively easy side to counter against in recent matches.
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Team News
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CF Montreal were once again missing Mason Toye last week as he is still recovering from a left knee injury, Samuel Piette was out with an adductor strain, while James Pantemis was on the bench, but Jonathan Sirois played the full 90 minutes between the sticks.
Joel Waterman had their only goal versus the Red Bulls, while former Miami players Ariel Lassiter and Bryce Duke both featured in the starting 11 for a second consecutive encounter.
Romell Quioto had a brace the last time they battled the Herons at home in this competition, while Lassiter and Sunusi Ibrahim each found the back of the net in their Canadian Championship victory on Wednesday.
Robbie Robinson is questionable for Miami because of a calf strain, Rodolfo Pizarro has a sore hamstring, Jean Mota is dealing with a knee injury, Gregore remains sidelined due to a fracture in his foot, while David Ruiz and Edison Azcona are representing Honduras and the Dominican Republic respectively at the Under-20 World Cup.
Second-half strikes from Nicolas Stefanelli and Franco Negri helped them get past Nashville at the US Open Cup this week as they scored on their only two targeted efforts.
Shanyder Borgelin and Serhiy Kryvtsov each scored when they defeated Le CFM 2-0 earlier this season, as Drake Callender made four stops for the clean sheet, while former Montreal centre-back Kamal Miller, who was dealt to the Herons for Duke and Lassiter, has started every MLS match since joining his new club.
CF Montreal possible starting lineup:
Sirois; Campbell, Camacho, Corbo; Herrera, Choiniere, Wanyama, Lassiter; Duke; Offor, Quioto
Inter Miami possible starting lineup:
Callender; Yedlin, McVey, Miller, Kryvtsov; Jean, Arroyo, Ulloa, Taylor; Campana, Martinez
We say: CF Montreal 2-0 Inter Miami
The Herons are struggling to find a spark from anywhere, while the additions of Lassiter and Duke to Montreal seem to have been the missing link for them when it comes to connecting passes from the midfield to the attack.
While neither have played exceptionally well domestically of late, we are giving the home side the edge because they seem to have more depth and creativity, while losing Gregore has made Miami far too easy to get through in the midfield.
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Top tip
Joel Lefevre
