Donadel encouraged that Montreal can compete with Inter Miami

CF Montreal's interim head coach Marco Donadel is confident his struggling team will compete with Inter Miami when they visit Chase Stadium on Wednesday.

Montreal are bottom of the Eastern Conference standings, having only won one of their 15 matches in MLS this campaign.

They go to Fort Lauderdale to face Lionel Messi and company in midweek, with Miami seventh in the Eastern Conference – seven points behind the Philadelphia Union at the summit – after a downturn in form.

Montreal gave up a two-goal lead in Saturday's 2-2 draw with Los Angeles FC, and though Donadel questioned his team's fitness afterwards, he was largely impressed by their display.

"It's a tough process with young players and a new team," said Donadel. "We have to work during the week and try new things. 

"When you play a team as good as LAFC, it's a positive experience. The frustration is there right now because we showed on the field that our level could match theirs, but only for 60 minutes.

"We showed we can play against anybody, and this is an amazing feeling. Yes, we conceded some chances, but we also had some chances. 

"It was a very balanced game. We just didn't have the energy to play like we want to play."

Les stats finales

Final stats #CFMTL pic.twitter.com/EtjkwpumN3

— CF Montréal (@cfmontreal) May 25, 2025

Donadel, who took charge after Laurent Courtois was sacked in March, added: "I hope, in the future, this team can show what we showed in the first 35 to 40 minutes and in the first 10 minutes of the second half.

"We don't want to be happy because we tied at home against LAFC."

Javier Mascherano's hosts, meanwhile, drew 3-3 at Philadelphia last time out, extending their winless streak to four games.

The Herons have lost three of their last four home matches in all competitions (W1), after losing only two of their previous 24 at Chase Stadium (W17 D5). 

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Inter Miami – Lionel Messi

Miami are winless in Messi's last four appearances (D2 L2), the first time Messi has gone four straight club games without a win since doing so between May and September 2019 with Barcelona (D2 L2). 

Messi's last run of five straight club appearances without a win, meanwhile, came with the Blaugrana between March and April 2013 (D4 L1).

Messi was on target against Philadelphia last time out, however, and he will be desperate to help his team get back to winning ways.

Our Captain in the Team of the Matchday #15  https://t.co/SDfsgYXOns

— Inter Miami CF (@InterMiamiCF) May 26, 2025

CF Montreal – Prince Osuwu

Owusu and Giacomo Vrioni scored for Montreal in their draw with LAFC on Saturday. 

Either Owusu (four goals, two assists) or Vrioni (three goals) have been directly involved in nine of Montreal's 10 goals in MLS this season.

MATCH PREDICTION – INTER MIAMI WIN

Montreal have eight points through 15 matches (W1 D5 L9) in 2025, equalling the fourth-fewest at this stage of a season in MLS history. 

Montreal's 2-2 draw with Los Angeles last time out was their first multi-goal game in regular-season play since a season-opening 3-2 loss to Atlanta United, so Donadel had every right to be encouraged.

Montreal have also won three of their five away matches against Inter Miami (L2), including a 3-2 victory on their most recent visit in March 2024. 

They could join Atlanta United as just the second team to record multiple away wins against Miami since Messi's debut for the club in August 2023.

Miami's 3-0 defeat to Orlando City on May 18 was just the second time they had failed to score in a home match in which Messi started (also versus Nashville SC in August 2023), but they will expect a better result this time out.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Inter Miami – 65.4%

CF Montreal – 15.9%

Draw – 18.7%