Though three months remain in the MLS season, CF Montreal know time is tight if they want to achieve their aspirations of making the playoffs.
Montreal (4-10-3, 15 points) gets set to host the New England Revolution on Saturday in search of its first win since May 9. The Canadian side is 0-3-3 since then, including losses in each of its past two matches.
CF Montreal are seven points back of the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, currently held by D.C. United.
“We’re still in contention. Now we need to start picking up points. Otherwise, in a month, it will be difficult to say we’re still in contention, unless we win 11 out of 12 games,” interim coach Philippe Eullaffroy said. “Now is the time to start picking up points, especially at home.”
Prince Osei Owusu leads Montreal with nine goals, but the club has been shut out in three straight matches and four times in its past five games. Most recently, it lost 1-0 to a Lionel Messi-less Inter Miami squad, giving up a penalty-kick goal in the 81st minute.
“Management knows very well that we’re missing that little spark in the final third,” Eullaffroy said. “They’re working very hard to acquire players who will not only provide that spark, but will also start a fire in the final third, which we’ve been lacking in the past few games.”
The Revolution (9-5-2, 29 points) enter the match in a more comfortable spot, sitting third in the Eastern Conference. But Saturday marks the start of a tough stretch for New England, with seven of its next nine matches coming on opposing pitches.
It’s been a struggle for the Revolution as the visitors, who’ve gone just 1-4-1 away from home. They haven’t claimed three points on the road since April 22. They’ve only played two road matches since, settling for a 1-1 draw on April 25 at Miami and falling 1-0 to Charlotte on May 23.
“We know it’s going to be difficult,” assistant coach Sean Hughes said. “(Montreal) had two of their last three games against No. 1 (Nashville SC) and No. 2 (Miami) in the (Eastern Conference) standings, so I’m sure they’re hungry as well, and we have to be fully ready to go.”
New England is coming off a 4-1 victory against Atlanta United on July 25, which included Carles Gil’s team-leading sixth goal of the year.
–Field Level Media
