Interim head coach Marco Donadel insists that the performance of CF Montreal improves because they offer to stop their terrible start of the MLS season in New York City.
Montreal was beaten 2-1 last week by the Philadelphia Union, leaving the bottom of the rankings of the Eastern Conference with three points from 11 games.
They are the third team in the history of MLS that 11 consecutive competitions is going without giving a lead at any time, and the first since Chivas USA in 2014.
Only DC United, in 2013, has never had a lead in 12 consecutive games at any time, but Donadel believes that a turning point is on the horizon.
“We have created a great group and I don't have to say anything. They know what we are doing, they know what to show on the field,” Donadel said.
“But they are also aware that the implementation is there and I don't know what to say.
“I don't complain about anything. We are improving. We have more players in the box, we are more solid in transitions … I am happy for the performance, it has improved because the group understands.”
New York is now seventh in the east with 17 points of 11 games, who won their last two MLS matches Toronto FC and FC Cincinnati with 1-0 scorelines.
A promotion packaged month ahead @wendys pic.twitter.com/f4ocw7EMV8
– New York City FC (@NewYorkCityFC) May 1, 2025
They suffered a surprise output of the US Open Cup in midweek, but lost 1-0 from the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, and coach Pascal Jansen believes that one defensive Lapse cost them.
“If you beat one moment the way we did in the second half … is this a matter of discipline,” Jansen said.
“You know what is being asked of a corner kick from you, and we didn't do it. That is when we admitted and it fits perfectly throughout the game.”
Players to watch
New York City – Julian Fernandez
Fernandez scored his second goal of the season in the victory of New York City on Cincinnati last Sunday.
He scored two goals in each of his three MLS seasons with all six goals scored at home – could he get a better one here?
CF Montreal – Dante Sealy
Sealy leads all Montreal players for opportunities created this season and laid 13 options for teammates.
He is also in second place for completed dribbles (11) and tried third for dribbles (20). If the terrible Run of Montreal will end, he might have to wear their hope.
Match forecast – Win New York City
Montreal is one of the five teams in the history of MLS who collect three or fewer points through the first 11 games of a season.
No team in the MLS history has ever had three points or less after 12 games of a campaign.
L'Etensité Monte d'Ul Cran and Vue de Samedi
Intensity increases when we prepare for Saturday #cfmtl pic.twitter.com/xjvxeff1s7
– CF Montréal (@cfmontreal) 9 May 2025
In the meantime, the 2-0 home victory of Montreal on New York was in the last meeting between the parties-in October 2024-Slechts their third victory in 21 of all time between the teams (D5 L13).
The only victory of Montreal at NYCFC was a 3-2 victory in August 2015, and the chances of repeating on Saturday seem slim.
New York has won six of their last seven home games for regular season (L1), including 1-0 wins in each of their last two at home. Prior to the last two games, NYCFC had managed only one clean magazine in their previous 15 home games in the regular season.
Opta wins probability
New York City – 59.1%
CF Montreal – 19.6%
Drawing – 21.3%
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