CF Montreal looks to continue playoff push against visiting Atlanta United
MONTREAL — CF Montreal appears to be like to rekindle its dominance at house because it continues its playoff push Saturday in opposition to Atlanta United.
Montreal (8-10-2) has established Stade Saputo as considered one of Major League Soccer’s premier fortresses. Before a 1-0 loss to New York City FC final week, Montreal tied a 23-year-old file for many consecutive house wins with out conceding a purpose (six in MLS, eight in all competitions) and held the second-best house file in MLS.
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Atlanta (8-5-8) has misplaced simply considered one of its final 9 video games however has struggled away from house with simply eight factors from 10 highway video games this season. Despite the offensive heroics of Giorgos Giakoumakis, Thiago Almada, and the league’s second-most potent assault, the membership has been weighed down by 35 objectives conceded in simply 21 video games.
“Atlanta is a team with a lot of individual quality and who is constantly investing millions to be fighting for the MLS Cup so it’s going to be a very complicated game,” mentioned head coach Hernan Losada. “We also have to rebuild our home reputation. It came to an end last game but we will go again in front of our fans.”
The recreation in opposition to Atlanta would be the first of three that Montreal will play within the subsequent week, all in opposition to opponents within the Eastern Conference playoff race. Following United, who’re simply six factors forward of Montreal, would be the Chicago Fire and Charlotte FC, who at present sit three factors and one level behind Montreal respectively.
“Getting points on the road and playing Saturday-Wednesday-Saturday is tough but we have to try,” mentioned defender Joel Waterman. “We have to make sure that during this last sequence before that break in the season with Leagues Cup, we take maximum points. I want nine points, but we have to focus on Atlanta first.”
Maximizing factors throughout a congested run of essential video games is one thing that Montreal has grown accustomed to this season. When scheduled to play 11 video games in all competitions over the span of 36 days, the membership amassed a formidable 19 factors, serving to it climb out of the league’s basement and into eighth within the convention.
Given that Montreal’s assault has stagnated of late and star ahead Romell Quioto continues to be out with a long-term hamstring harm, the membership has introduced in important reinforcements. Once the MLS switch window formally opened July 5, Montreal added ahead Kwadwo Opoku from Los Angeles FC in trade for slightly below US$2 million generally allocation cash over the following three years.
“Picking up a player of (Opoku’s) character, scores goals and stuff like that just shows we can be a better team than how we’re performing. It also adds to the depth of the squad so it adds competition,” mentioned midfielder Bryce Duke, who signed with LAFC the identical yr as Opoku, with the 2 rising shut over two years.
“He’s just an overall great guy, super humble and just someone that anyone can get along with. I think he’s a great addition on the field and off it.”
The 21-year-old Ghanaian has already amassed a formidable resume, serving to LAFC seize the uncommon Supporter’s Shield and MLS Cup double whereas contributing eight objectives and 4 assists final season.
It is unclear if he will probably be on the bench for the sport in opposition to Atlanta however has begun coaching along with his new staff this Friday.
Montreal must also see the return of midfielder and captain Samuel Piette to the bench on Saturday. He has not performed since April 1 with an adductor harm.
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