CF Montreal v Philadelphia Union: Donadel sees progress from winless hosts

CF Montreal are without a win in MLS this season, but interim head coach Marco Donadel believes a midweek triumph over Toronto FC in the Canadian Championship has given them a platform to build on.

Montreal prop up the Eastern Conference standings with just three points from 10 matches this year. 

They have played five games under Donadel since sacking Laurent Courtois in late March, recording two draws and three defeats.

They are already four points adrift of the next-closest team, their rivals Toronto, who they beat on penalties following an eventful 2-2 draw in the preliminary round of the Canadian Championship on Wednesday.

"It's just about playing well and giving everything on the field," Donadel said.

"It's all about consistency and trying to do the things that we are good at. I really only asked them to show their quality on the field, and they really did a great job.

"I know that they are resilient and I know that they don’t give up. They did what they are able to do, and it's just the beginning of this process."

Place aux quarts de finale

Preliminary round Quarterfinals next #CFMTL pic.twitter.com/FhHPoEb7Vi

— CF Montréal (@cfmontreal) May 1, 2025

The Union, meanwhile, are flying high in their first season under Bradley Carnell, sitting third in the East with 19 points from 10 matches.

They thrashed D.C. United 3-0 last Saturday, their second straight victory by that scoreline after beating Atlanta United a week earlier.

Despite Philadelphia being big favourites at Stade Saputo, Carnell expects a difficult test, telling reporters: "Montreal is a tough trip, a tough environment to go play at. They're trending in the right direction.

"So for us, all eyes are on Montreal. Everyone has to be in the mindset and the right frame of mind to tackle that game in the right way."

PLAYERS TO WATCH 

CF Montreal – Prince Owusu

Montreal are still yet to hold a lead at any stage this season, following a 1-0 defeat to the New York Red Bulls in their most recent league game. 

They are the first team to go 10 straight matches within a single MLS season without holding a lead since Chivas USA (11 straight) in 2014.

Owusu is the only Montreal player with multiple goals this campaign (two), so if they are to hit the front, it may have to come from him.

Philadelphia Union – Mikael Uhre 

Uhre has scored four goals against Montreal in his career, tied for the most by any Union player against the club, alongside Sebastien Le Toux. 

Since he joined MLS in 2022, no player has scored more goals against Montreal than Uhre.

MATCH PREDICTION – PHILADELPHIA UNION WIN

Philadelphia's 3-0 win over D.C. last Saturday was their third three-goal win of the season, more than any other team in MLS. 

Since the start of the 2020 season, the Union have recorded 30 wins by three or more goals, nine more than any other MLS side in that time.

Montreal only have two points through 10 matches this season, equalling the second-fewest points at this stage of a campaign in MLS history, alongside the 1999 Colorado Rapids.

Only Sporting Kansas City in 2023 (three) have scored fewer goals than Montreal's four through the opening 10 games of a season.

Philadelphia have only lost only two of their last 11 meetings with Montreal in all competitions (W5 D4), though those two defeats came on their last two visits to Montreal (in 2023 and 2024). A repeat is not expected this weekend, however.

Saturday afternoons at the Soob #DOOP pic.twitter.com/GlZYNfFzGQ

— Philadelphia Union (@PhilaUnion) May 1, 2025

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

CF Montreal – 29.8%

Philadelphia Union – 45.5%

Draw – 29.8%