FC Cincinnati are in the French-speaking Canadian province of Quebec for a midweek match against CF Montréal.
L’IMPACT
Montréal are currently in last place in the East with 2 wins, 5 draws, and 11 losses. Their 15 goals scored is the lowest tally in the entire league—they average less than a goal scored per match. Their defensive end, with 33 goals conceded, is among the weakest.
It is clear that things have gone from bad to worse in Montréal, but why? What got them in such a position? Many would argue that it is the low spending from ownership; in 2024, they had the cheapest payroll in MLS.
To their credit, they did break their transfer record by adding a young Ukrainian talent in Gennadiy Synchuk. But the rest of their offseason consisted of adding from free agency, or from the league’s discarded pile. Among those belonging to the latter: Dante Sealy from Dallas, Caden Clark from Minnesota, Prince Owusu from Toronto, and Giacomo Vrioni from New England—who is their only DP.
There was hope when Montréal hired Laurent Courtois from the Wilfried Nancy coaching tree, and he did overachieve by getting them in 8th. But for reasons out of his control, he was fired just a few matches into this season. Since then, the club has plunged deeper into uncertainty, as they are led by interim coach Marco Donadel.
Montréal’s most recent result was just their second win of the league season, against the Houston Dynamo. They would leave the scalding heat of Texas with a 3-1 scoreline despite being outplayed in possession and shot tally. Prince Owusu would score a brace, and Jalen Neal added one off of a corner.
THE ORANGE & BLUE
The Orange and Blue are hoping to keep up a run of positive form. They bunkered down for a 1-0 win away to New England, breaking a four-game winless streak. The lone goal scorer was Kévin Denkey, set up with a cross by Luca Orellano. It may not have been possession-based, but it was resourceful nonetheless.
It was Cincinnati’s defense, in particular, that looked much improved. They may be without Miles Robinson for a while as he is in the USMNT’s Gold Cup squad, but a possible trio of Miazga-Flores-Hadebe is more than capable of standing in.
Prior to that match, many questions were being asked as panic ensued throughout the FCC sphere. It is hard to overstate just what those three points may have done for team morale, and for calming some of the panic in the FCC fanbase.
Looking ahead, they have a very tough run of fixtures: away to Orlando on the weekend, followed by Chicago, Columbus, and then Miami. It is necessary that they leave with all three points in this matchup, because points will be hard to come by in the coming weeks.
If Cincinnati is defensive-forward as they were in New England, and their attack is clinical even once, they will be certain victors.
Of Note: Yuya Kubo will be available, as he recovers from a weeks-long injury in multiple areas of his leg.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Cincinnati’s player to watch is Luca Orellano. His directness—running at the defense, looking for that cut-inside followed by a shot—is what would add a dimension to this attack. He was back on the scoresheet, but only for his assist to Denkey. This is a hunch, but he is due for a goal.
Prince Owusu is the obvious choice for Montréal’s player to watch. His brace in their previous match is what gave them a much-needed three points. More than half of his goals have come since the beginning of May. There is no one they rely on more to score than him.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Montréal’s form has been changed by their win in Houston, and they could cause an upset. Despite their troubles, they are not to be underestimated.
But if the rest of the season is anything to go by, FCC is facing a side that is lacking up and down the pitch. Cincinnati is expected to win—and if they exploit their opposition’s vulnerabilities, they could do it in style.
MATCH INFO
WHERE: Stade Saputo
WHEN: 7:30 PM
WATCH: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+
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