CF Montreal will host the New England Revolution on Saturday with both teams dealing with different kinds of pressure. Montreal are still searching for their first win since May 9, while New England begin a difficult road stretch with a more secure spot in the Eastern Conference standings.
For Montreal, the timing matters. They are three months from the end of the MLS season but still outside the playoff line, and their recent form has made the margin for error even smaller. The team has gone winless in its last three matches and has failed to score in each of those games, leaving it with just 15 points from a 4-10-3 record.
Montreal need a response at home
Interim coach Philippe Eullaffroy has been clear that the club needs results soon. He said Montreal are still in contention, but that they have to start picking up points or it will become difficult to keep saying that. He also pointed to the importance of home matches, saying now is the time to start collecting points, especially at home.
Eullaffroy also acknowledged a familiar problem in the final third. He said management knows the club is missing that little spark in attack, and that the team is working hard to bring in players who can provide it. Montreal have scored only nine goals during their current stretch, and the lack of finishing has kept them from turning possession into points.
The challenge is not just about one game. Montreal need to put together a run, and the next few weeks will tell a lot about whether they can stay in the playoff race long enough to matter in the closing months of the season.
New England face a tougher travel test
New England arrive with a stronger standings position, but the schedule is about to get harder. Saturday’s match begins a road-heavy run for the Revolution, who have struggled away from home this season. They have not won on the road since April 22, and their away results include a 1-1 draw at Inter Miami on April 25 and a 1-0 loss to Charlotte on May 23.
The Revolution do have a recent reminder of what they can do when things click. They beat Atlanta United 4-1 on July 25, with Carles Gil scoring his sixth goal. Sean Hughes said Montreal’s recent schedule has been demanding, noting that they had two of their last three games against the Nos. 1 and 2 teams in the Eastern Conference, so New England expect a hungry opponent and know they have to be fully ready to go.
That makes this matchup more than a simple midseason meeting. Montreal need points to keep their postseason hopes alive, while New England need to handle a tricky road start and avoid giving ground as their schedule turns more difficult.
