CF Montreal seek execution solutions, face ascending Whitecaps

Field Level Media|published: Fri 5th July, 16:32 2024

Jul 3, 2024; Queens, New York, USA; CF Montreal goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois (40) plays the ball against New York City FC during the second half at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

CF Montreal will look to erase the taste of yet another road loss when they host cross-Canadian foe Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday.

Montreal's last outing, a 2-0 loss at New York City FC on Wednesday, dropped it to 0-7-2 in its last nine away matches. It's had better success at home, where it is 2-0-3 in its past five contests.

With 13 matches to go, including this one, points are at a premium for CF Montreal (5-9-7, 22 points), who sit two points behind Atlanta United for the ninth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference but with two teams in between them.

"Sometimes (we were) just not on the same page in terms of what (we) wanted to do, or sometimes it was just execution that was lacking," Montreal goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois said after the match on Wednesday. "I think there's days like that and it's on us, the whole team, to find solutions together. Unfortunately, we haven't."

The Whitecaps (9-7-4, 31 points) have won four of their last six matches, including a 3-1 win at Minnesota United on Wednesday that featured a goal from Brian White -- his club-record 40th in MLS regular-season play -- and assists from Ryan Gauld on all three Whitecaps goals.

The Whitecaps sit in fifth in the West, just three points behind the Colorado Rapids for fourth with two matches in hand. Head coach Vanni Sartini praised his team for "getting (its) mojo back."

"We showed that we can be a winning team ... and we need to keep going, because we are there fighting for the nice position, and everyone is happy when we're there, and (getting) a result in Montreal would be fantastic," Sartini said on Wednesday.

White's goal on Wednesday gave him nine on the season, tying him with Gauld for the team lead. Gauld's three assists put him at seven for the year.

Montreal will be looking for increased performance from striker Sunusi Ibrahim, who has six goals to lead the team. Ariel Lassiter, Josef Martinez, and Matias Coccaro have three goals apiece.

--Field Level Media