CF Montreal looks to end season-opening skid against D.C. United

Now Montreal needs to prove it in a match.

“It’s as simple as that,” Sirois said. “The beauty of football is that even if we lost our last three games, that doesn’t mean we’re going to lose the next three. Anything is possible.

“We just have to take it one match at a time, show more resilience and bounce back.”

After reaching the wild-card round with a late-season surge in 2024, Montreal has scored twice while conceding eight goals in road losses to Atlanta United, Minnesota United and the Vancouver Whitecaps.

The club won’t play its home opener until April 12 against Charlotte FC – the eighth match this season – because Stade Saputo is not winterized.

Head coach Laurent Courtois said there’s a mix of emotions around the team after its slow start.

“We trust how we work, we know where we’re strong,” he said. “Then there’s the reality of results, and it’s been three matches where, even if I see positives collectively, we’ve had one or two players having an off-game and that’s cost the team.

“But as a group we’re in a much better place than in Minnesota, for example. We’re happy with the effort being put in. We’re lacking sharpness in the final third, but outside of some technical imprecision and defensive gaps, we’re satisfied with the work we’ve done.”

D.C. (1-0-2) is undefeated this season and ranks fifth in the East after beating Sporting KC 2-1 last week.

United boasts a dangerous attack led by Christian Benteke, who already has three goals this season.

The six-foot-three striker, who scored 86 goals in 10 Premier League seasons before joining the MLS side in 2022, leads the league with 27 aerial duels won.

He can create all sorts of problems in the box for Sirois and Montreal’s defence.

“I have to be excellent in the air, make good decisions when coming out. I need to be very aggressive but also effective,” Sirois said. “My communication is also key.

“If I keep an eye on things and can direct my defenders in the box, especially with Benteke since he’s their biggest threat, then we can neutralize that through communication and man-marking, which will make our job a lot easier.”

Courtois said his squad has worked on a strategy to help curb the number of crosses D.C. sends into the penalty area.

“We know they’re going to happen eventually, it’s just about limiting easy access and clear advantages from those crosses,” he said.

“We know about Benteke’s aerial ability, but that’s not all. He’s actually a pretty complete player, beyond just his athletic strength, so there will be a lot to deal with,” Courtois added. “The whole team is much more attack-minded than last year, with a lot of players pushing forward. It’s going to be a dynamic game, but we also think they give up chances at the other end.”

Injury-riddled Montreal could receive a boost from central midfielder Samuel Piette and centre back George Campbell joining the fray.

Piette, Montreal’s captain, missed the last two games with a hamstring issue while Campbell was out with a groin injury. Courtois said both players are close to returning.

Designated player Giacomo Vrioni (Groin), defender Jalen Neal (knee) and midfielder Hennadiy Synchuk (lower body) – three marquee off-season additions – remain out. Vrioni is ramping up his involvement in team training but Neal and Synchuk still need more time, Courtois said.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 14, 2025.

Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press

by Canadian Press

CF Montreal looks to end season-opening skid against D.C. United

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