MONTREAL – After a narrow loss to New York City FC last Saturday – a first at Stade Saputo since mid-April and following a six-match shutout winning streak – CF Montréal will host Atlanta United FC this Saturday at 7:30pm (MLS Season Pass, BPM Sports, TSN 690).
Montreal is 3-5-3 against the 2018 MLS Cup champions and is unbeaten in four straight games against Atlanta, including a 2-1 victory on April 30, 2022, at Stade Saputo, Atlanta’s last visit in town.
Before the goal against New York City, Jonathan Sirois and CF Montréal had managed to blank their opponents at home for 618 consecutive minutes, setting a new Club record.
In international news, fullbacks Zachary Brault-Guillard and Aaron Herrera remained with Canada and Guatemala respectively as both sides progressed to the quarterfinal stage of the 2023 Gold Cup. The Canadians take on the United States, while Guatemala face Jamaica. Both matches take place this Sunday in Cincinnati.
In the final round of the group stage, Brault-Guillard was an unused substitute in a 4-2 win over Cuba, while Herrera played Guatemala's entire match in a 3-2 win over Guadeloupe. The two nations also met last Saturday, playing out a 0-0 draw in Houston. Herrera featured for the full 90 minutes while Brault-Guillard came on as a substitute in the 80th minute.
Atlanta is seventh in the Eastern Conference with 32 points, just six points ahead of Montreal. Despite a 1-4-5 away record, the Georgian club has not lost since May 13 in a 3-1 defeat at Charlotte. Since then, Atlanta has won four and drawn five. The visitors have the second-best offence in the league with 39 goals scored. Montreal's defenders will have the main task of slowing down Greek international Giorgios Giakoumakis, who leads his club with 10 goals in 16 games, as well as Thiago Almada, scorer of eight goals this season and a 2022 World Cup winner with Argentina.
“Every point counts,” said head coach Hernán Losada. “Every point is important. When you play an opponent that’s close to you in the standings, it’s important to win, and if you can’t, then it’s important that you don’t lose. Especially at home, taking as many points is essential.”
