Decisive game at Red Bull Arena
CF Montréal travers to south of the border to take on the New York Red Bulls, Saturday at 4pm at Red Bull Arena (TVA Sports, 91,9 Sports, TSN690.ca). It’s the team’s last road game of the regular season, as they get set to close out 2021 with two home games next week.
With three games left before the start of the MLS Cup playoffs, the result coming out of this Eastern Conference showdown can be decisive for the playoff race. After 31 games played, there isn’t much to split these two sides. Both sit right outside the playoff picture with 43 points apiece, New York holding a small edge with 12 wins compared to Montreal’s 11.
Montreal managed to edge out New York 2-1 in their only meeting this season, in August at Stade Saputo, thanks to a stoppage-time winner from the spot from Victor Wanyama.
“The Red Bulls are always clear about what they’re trying to do and what they want to do,” said head coach Wilfried Nancy. “They’re an institution in terms of style of play. We know they like to press, and it works. The more pressure they put, the more composed we need to be. We need to be very good technically. We have a few things in mind for tomorrow to try and disrupt that style.”
It will by no means be an easy task for head coach Wilfried Nancy’s men. After a slower start to the season than what we’re used to seeing, New York has managed to turn things around to find itself in the thick of the playoff race. Head coach Gerhard Struber’s men have lost just once in their last nine games, although that defeat came in their last outing against D.C. United.
Montreal is in a good way as well, going into this game on a five-game unbeaten streak, including a win in the Canadian Championship semi-final last Wednesday against CPL side Forge FC. Montreal managed the win in a penalty shootout, with most of its MLS regulars sitting this one out, meaning they’ll be fresh for this pivotal showdown against our New York rivals.
“We can never take any teams lightly, especially not the Red Bulls,” said defender Zorhan Bassong. “Games at Red Bull Arena are often difficult. They’re a strong team. On our end, we’ve done everything to prepare to get a result there Saturday.”
There will be just two games left in the regular season after this one, both at Stade Saputo, the first on Wednesday, November 3, at 7:30pm, against the Houston Dynamo, followed by a Decision Day game against Orlando City SC on Sunday, November 7, at 3:30pm. Tickets for those games are available here.
