While CF Montreal look to continue a surprise strong start, the Chicago Fire again try for their first victory this season.
Upstart CF Montreal aim to stay unbeaten when they visit an already frustrated Fire side on Saturday.
Even amid a six-game away stretch to open the season, Montreal (2-0-1, 7 points) has a chance to go unbeaten in its initial four MLS matches for the first time since 2013. The early run comes one season after just missing out on the playoffs with 41 points.
Eying a second straight win following last week’s 3-2 triumph over Inter Miami, Montreal has totaled five goals from five different players this season. Josef Martinez and Matias Coccaro each have a goal and assist for Montreal, which has never gone unbeaten through its first four road matches to a season.
“We don’t just have 11 or 13 players, we really have a complete team and we’re all on the same page and everyone’s producing in the same way,” Montreal midfielder Samuel Piette said.
“Whether it’s scoring goals, making passes or with physical effort, I’m very, very happy.”
Montreal, however, failed to score during a loss and draw versus Chicago last season.
Just three weeks into the season, the Fire (0-2-1, 1 point) are already thinking about what could have been. They conceded a stoppage-time goal during a 2-2 opening draw at Philadelphia, then gave up a 68th-minute tiebreaker in their 2-1 home loss versus FC Cincinnati and 100th-minute goal to lose at reigning MLS champion Columbus last week, also by a 2-1 score.
“We’re heading in the right direction,” Fire coach Frank Klopas said. “I can say that, but it’s easy for me to say.”
“But it’s all about the results. When you look at all three games, I think all three games we should have walked away with points.”
Fabian Herbers has recorded half of the four goals scored by Chicago this season. Meanwhile, teammate Xherdan Shaqiri has a goal with an assist this season.
–Field Level Media
