Apr 30, 2022; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; CF Montreal defender Joel Waterman (16) reacts after the win in opposition to Atlanta United FC at Stade Saputo. Necessary Credit score: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports activities FC Cincinnati and CF Montreal are golf equipment on completely different ends of the Main League Soccer standings, however each enter Saturday’s match in Cincinnati needing a optimistic outcome.
Cincinnati (15-8-3, 48 factors) enters with a four-match dropping streak. July 6 was the second-place aspect’s final victory, a 6-1 win over Inter Miami. Final weekend, with out coach Pat Noonan on the sideline because of a two-match suspension, Cincinnati fell to the identical Miami aspect 2-0 after giving up two targets within the first six minutes.
Cincinnati has been outscored 9-2 through the skid whereas struggling to determine issues out on either side of the ball.
“We’re not performing properly, we’re not defending properly in remoted moments,” Noonan mentioned. “We’re getting punished for that. Particular person efficiency, workforce performances, not nice for the time being and in consequence we’re enjoying catch-up in video games.”
Luciano Acosta is a lone vibrant spot, creating 5 targets in his previous 5 regular-season matches. He might discover extra on Saturday in opposition to a struggling CF Montreal.
Montreal (6-11-9, 27 factors) is driving a two-match dropping streak, falling farther out of the playoff image. After sitting in a playoff spot in July, Montreal resides outdoors of a postseason berth in eleventh place.
Plus, these two losses embody a 6-0 defeat to the New England Revolution on Saturday, their first match since coming back from the Leagues Cup break.
“You may’t construct one thing on a recreation like this,” defender Joel Waterman mentioned. “We have to overlook it and transfer on to the following recreation.”
The three-man Montreal backline, anchored by Waterman, has allowed opponents to create probably the most photographs on objective within the league (143) and surrendered probably the most targets per match within the Jap Convention (2.04).
Regardless of the struggles, a victory for Montreal might put the Canadian aspect again into one of many 9 MLS Cup playoff spots, and Cincinnati already has had its struggles in opposition to Montreal this season.
On April 13, Cincinnati traveled to Montreal to lose 2-1. Ariel Lassiter and Josef Martinez scored the 2 targets within the victory, the final recreation earlier than Martinez missed two months because of harm. Since returning, he has three targets in 9 appearances.
–Area Stage Media