FC Cincinnati have their final match of the regular season, a home affair against CF Montréal. There is still something to be played for on this Decision Day.
L’IMPACT
Montréal saw slight improvement after the Leagues Cup break; they restarted regular season play with a four-match unbeaten streak, lost two in a row, and went unbeaten again in their last two. That has been enough to lift them out of a last place spot in the East, as they currently sit in 13th.
Marco Donadel has made a case for himself as the team’s permanent manager, with just those two losses since the Leagues Cup break. They have netted in every match except their two losses—including scoring three against Austin and four against Charlotte. That is not to mention Donadel’s part in raising them a few places out of last. Any sort of stability is needed in Montréal.
Montréal’s attacking trio of discarded MLS players has had great output lately. Fabian Herbers, Prince Owusu, and Dante Sealy, have combined for eight of their last nine goals.
With playoffs far out of the picture, L’Impact are just playing for pride. A win, with the help of other results, could get them as high as 12th place—a much more pleasing finish than second from last, if they lose and Atlanta win. They are safe from last, as DC is essentially stuck at the bottom of the table with a dismal goal differential of -36.
Their recent 4-1 away win over Charlotte showed that they are more than capable of upsetting top teams. When a team has nothing more to lose, there is everything to gain in matches like this. They are not to be underestimated.
THE ORANGE AND BLUE
The Orange and Blue have been unbeaten in their four matches since that dream-crushing loss to Philadelphia. In that span, they have scored 7 and conceded 4—showing a slight improvement in their attack, but a slight decrease in their defense.
That recent form was achieved by an attack that became even more fearsome, as Brenner, Echenique, Marczuk, and Jabbari settled in. This has given them a much-needed boost before the playoffs.
Montréal is still somewhat of a possession-based side, so the Orange and Blue will likely sit back and counter-attack. This is a strategy that, against all expectations, has been successful for them. No match is assured, but they have been defying the numbers all season.
Unlike the last two Decision Days—in which a top finish was already secured—there is still much for the Orange and Blue to be playing for. A second place finish is still not a guarantee, but it can be secured with three points. But if Miami, who follows closely behind, is able to beat Nashville, second place would be theirs.
A second place finish would ideally assign an easier matchup with the seventh seed, rather than the sixth. But that is not a guarantee. It is mainly the confidence boost of being one of the top teams in the league and preventing a conference rival like Miami from finishing higher.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Cincinnati’s player to watch is Brenner. His return to the club has been even better than anticipated, as he has netted three goals and assisted one in just five matches. He will be leading the front line in Kévin Denkey’s absence, with his compatriot Evander behind him. He could easily keep his star-studded form going.
Dante Sealy has recently impressed for Montréal. In his previous five matches for them, he has netted four times. He also kept that form up for Trinidad and Tobago in the international break, by netting against Bermuda.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Montréal is a side that has seemed to find an identity under their interim manager, if only temporarily. Being eliminated from the playoffs already, they have nothing more to lose. Sides like that are unpredictable; they can easily steal three points.
Cincinnati is expected to use that nervy strategy of being clinical on the counter—usually by scoring just one individually brilliant goal—and absorbing the pressure. They know how to win like this, and they are favored to do just that.
MATCH INFO
WHERE: TQL Stadium
WHEN: 7:30 PM
WATCH: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV+
LISTEN: ESPN 1530 iHeart Radio w/ Tommy G and Kevin McCloskey
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