CF Montreal will aim to rekindle their playoff spot hopes when they travel to take on Toronto FC on Saturday.
Arch rivals Toronto FC and CF Montreal are set to clash on Saturday at BMO Field in the first Canadian Classique match of the 2024 MLS campaign.
Toronto FC are coming off a 2-0 defeat to Nashville SC in midweek, where they conceded a pair of late strikes. Missing many regulars due to suspension, including their manager John Herdman, the Reds employed a new tactic on Wednesday. They packed the midfield with five players to clog the middle of the field and prevent scoring opportunities, which nearly worked as they held Nashville off the scoresheet for 80 minutes before succumbing to the pressure.
Four of Toronto’s six victories this season have come at BMO Field, where they have also secured three clean sheets in 2024. Notably, five of their six league defeats this year have occurred when conceding the opening goal, though this has only happened once at home (a 3-1 loss to Sporting Kansas City).
Laurent Courtois’s Montreal side is also experiencing a slump, having lost their third successive MLS match on Wednesday, falling 3-1 to the Columbus Crew. During this span, Montreal has conceded 10 goals, including three or more in each defeat, while managing to score once or fewer in three of their last four domestic games.
The visitors will need a win to reignite their playoff hopes, something that should add another layer of intrigue to a tightly fought clash. Montreal hold the upper hand when it comes to games against Toronto and will hope that it holds good this weekend as well. The Hard Tackle delves into the potential elevens and tactics for this highly-anticipated clash.
Team News & Tactics
Toronto FC
Sean Johnson, Kevin Long, Prince Owusu, and Federico Bernardeschi were all absent from the Toronto lineup in midweek due to suspension but are eligible to return this weekend, along with their manager, John Herdman. Richie Laryea, also suspended for Wednesday’s match, is still recovering from hamstring surgery. Additionally, Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty is dealing with a hamstring strain, and Brandon Servania remains sidelined after rupturing his ACL.
Shane O’Neill is unlikely to feature because of a quad strain. Lorenzo Insigne, who has come off the bench for the second consecutive match, and Charlie Sharp, who made his MLS debut after being signed to a short-term contract from Toronto FC II, are available for selection.
The home side are expected to line up in a 3-4-2-1 formation. Sean Johnson should act as the last defensive line with the trio of Kevin Long, Nicksoen Gomis and Sigurd Rosted providing him with a layer of protection.
Matty Longstaff and Alonso Coello should start in central midfield, with Tyrese Spicer and Federico Bernardeschi providing the width. Jonathan Osorio and Derrick Etienne Jr. should act as the dual number tens, with Lorenzo Insigne leading the line.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Johnson; Rosted, Long, Gomis; Bernardeschi, Longstaff, Coello, Spicer; Osorio, Etienne; Insigne
CF Montreal
Raheem Edwards missed the previous Montreal clash due to a sore abdomen, while Nathan-Dylan Saliba was sidelined with a hip issue. Josef Martinez did not feature because of a knee problem, and Lassi Lappalainen remains questionable after suffering a recent knock in training.
Matias Coccaro is still sidelined with a long-term leg injury, and Kwadwo Opoku is nearing a return from an ankle ligament tear. They have an otherwise fully fit squad to choose from.
The visitors are expected to lineup in a 3-4-1-2 formation with Jonathan Sirois in goal. He should be protected by the centre-back trio of George Campbell, Joel Waterman, and Joaquín Sosa.
Samuel Piette and Mathieu Choiniere should hold the fort in the centre, with Ruan Gregorio Teixeira and Ariel Lassiter providing the width. Bryce Duke should be deployed as the no. 10, with Mason Toye and Jules-Anthony Vilsaint leading the line.
Probable Lineup (3-4-1-2): Sirois; Campbell, Waterman, Sosa; Teixeira, Piette, Choiniere, Lassiter; Duke; Toye, Vilsaint
Ways to Watch
Key Stats
- A defeat on Saturday would match Toronto’s longest losing streak of the season (three games)
- Toronto have conceded as many goals in their last two matches (five) as they had in their previous four MLS encounters combined.
- A loss on Saturday would mark the first time Montreal has suffered four consecutive MLS losses since the 2020 season. They are winless in their last five away matches, being outscored 14-4 over that stretch.
- Montreal have yet to collect a point this season when conceding the opening goal, a scenario that has played out four times.
- Montreal have dominated recent encounters against Toronto, winning their last five matches in all competitions, including three consecutive victories at BMO Field.
Player to Watch
Lorenzo Insigne
The Italian veteran’s return will be a massive boost for Toronto, giving them a reliable presence in the frontline. Having scored just 16 goals in 12 MLS game so far this season, Toronto’s attack continues to be a weak link.
Insigne’s best years are behind him but he should pack a punch if given the opportunity. The onus will be on Montreal to keep him quiet and give themselves an opportunity to rekindle their season’s hopes.
Prediction
Toronto FC 2-0 CF Montreal
Neither side are in top form at the moment and could do with a win on the night. However, Toronto are in a better position with home support to boot. Add to it the return of Lorenzo Insigne and one can expect them to secure the bragging rights on the night.
