CF Montreal can extend their winning run at Saputo Stadium to seven matches in all competitions this Saturday when they take on Minnesota United on matchday 18 of the Major League Soccer season.
Le CFM earned just a single point on their recent two-game road trip, losing 3-0 at the Philadelphia Union in their previous league fixture, while the Loons managed to salvage a point in their last encounter versus Toronto (1-1).
Match preview
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After earning a solid road point at DC United at the end of May (2-2), the Union knocked this Montreal side down a peg last Saturday.
That continues the hot and cold trend that has been a staple of this squad under Hernan Losada, as they began the regular season by losing six of their first seven encounters before winning six straight in all competitions, while right now they have just one win in their last five MLS affairs.
It has been a roller coaster of a campaign to say the least for this team, but in spite of it all, they are only two points back of a playoff position and have played one fewer game than the team they are chasing, Charlotte FC.
What has been weighing them down all season has been an inability to keep the ball out of their goal, something which could come back to haunt them when the playoff race heats up near the end of the season, as Le CFM have the worst goal difference (-12) in the Eastern Conference.
Montreal came up short in their quest to reclaim the Canadian Championship on Wednesday as they conceded twice in the second half, losing 2-0 to the Vancouver Whitecaps.
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For a side who are winless in four successive matches in all competitions, there is a lot of optimism surrounding Minnesota United right now.
A good portion of that has to do with the return of Emanuel Reynoso on Saturday, as the Loons began creating chances at a significantly higher rate than we had previously seen without the Argentine.
Now that he is back in the fold, that should give manager Adrian Heath numerous options for how to approach each game, as Reynoso's skill has been sorely needed by a side that are tied for the third-fewest goals scored in MLS (15).
They head into this encounter having lost five of their last six regular-season games away from home, though they have triumphed at Saputo Stadium in their only two previous visits in 2017 and 2019, winning 3-2 both times.
Three of their five victories this year have come in dramatic fashion, scoring the winner beyond the 75th minute, while they snatched a point at home to the Reds last weekend with an equaliser in the 89th minute.
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Team News
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Romell Quioto remains out for Montreal with a hamstring strain, Samuel Piette has an adductor injury, former Minnesota striker Mason Toye was on the field against Philly, having missed significant time previously this season with a sore left knee, Robert Thorkelsson was called up to the Icelandic Under-21 squad and James Pantemis was back in goal for the first time since suffering a severe shoulder injury.
In their previous home fixture, Chinonso Offor had the only strike, while Jonathan Sirois made five stops in a 1-0 win over Inter Miami.
Toye had a brace as a member of the Loons the last time they faced Montreal, while Sunusi Ibrahim gave Le CFM some hope with a late consolation strike on Wednesday, which was ultimately too little too late.
Kemar Lawrence remains a question mark for Minnesota because of a sore thigh, something which has also kept Bakaye Dibassy on the sidelines, Mikael Marques has a sprained ankle, while Robin Lod and Ryen Jiba are out with knee injuries.
Kervin Arriaga put home the equaliser late in the second half versus Toronto, enabling them to claim a single point, their second successive 1-1 draw on home soil.
Joseph Rosales had the lone strike for Minnesota United in their previous road contest, when they were beaten 2-1 at Austin FC.
CF Montreal possible starting lineup:
Pantemis; Waterman, Campbell, Camacho; Brault-Guillard, Rea, Choiniere, Iliadis; Miljevic; Toye, Lassiter
Minnesota United possible starting lineup:
St. Clair; Valentin, Boxall, Tapias, Taylor; Trapp, Arriaga; Hlongwane, Reynoso, Rosales; Jeong
We say: CF Montreal 1-2 Minnesota United
We expect the Loons to be rejuvenated while looking more dynamic with their star Argentinian back on the field, and that could spell trouble for a Montreal side that have not shown an ability to consistently prevent goals most of the year.
How to watch
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