CFMTL Aims to Rebound Against Fire After Opening Loss on TSN

CF Montreal aims to rebound after a disappointing start in the 2026 Major League Soccer season. They faced a heavy 5-0 defeat against San Diego FC in their opening match. The game saw goals from Christopher McVay and Amahl Pellegrino for San Diego, leading 2-0 at halftime. Things took a turn for the worse for CFMTL when Tomas Aviles received a red card early in the second half.

Impact of the Red Card

Aviles was awarded a yellow card for a foul but it was later upgraded to a red following a VAR review. With ten players left on the field, Montreal struggled defensively and conceded three more goals, marking one of the heaviest losses in opening matches in MLS history. This loss was particularly notable, as it was only the second time a team had experienced a five-goal defeat in Matchday 1.

Upcoming Match Against Chicago Fire

CF Montreal will look to bounce back this Saturday, traveling to Chicago to face the Fire in their home opener. Chicago also suffered a loss in their opener, falling 2-1 to Houston Dynamo. Hugo Cuypers scored for the Fire, while the Dynamo’s Guilherme netted two goals.

Match Broadcast Details

Fans can watch the Chicago Fire vs. CF Montreal match live on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. ET/11:30 a.m. PT on TSN4, the TSN App, and TSN.ca.

New Faces on the Team

Despite the disappointing result against San Diego, CF Montreal had several new players making their debuts. Brayan Vera and Dagur Thorhallsson started, while Wiki Carmona and Daniel Rios came on as substitutes. These introductions reflect the club’s investment in developing talent.

Negotiation Challenges

Luca Saputo, managing director of CF Montreal, discussed the challenges of negotiating with other clubs. He noted that the team’s reputation for player development can complicate negotiations, as other teams often want to benefit from CFMTL’s successes.

Historical Rivalry

This weekend’s match will be the 32nd meeting between CF Montreal and Chicago Fire. Last season, the Fire won 2-0 in Montreal, while the teams drew 1-1 at Soldier Field. Historically, CFMTL holds the upper hand with 13 wins, while the Fire have 10 wins and eight matches ended in a draw. Many of these encounters are closely contested, with 13 of the 23 matches decided by a single goal.

As CF Montreal prepares for this crucial match, they hope to put their heavy loss behind them and secure their first points of the season.