The 2024 MLS Cup playoffs begin on Tuesday with the Eastern Conference Wild card round, as CF Montreal host Atlanta United at Saputo Stadium.
On Decision Day, a 2-0 victory over New York City FC enabled Le CFM to finish eighth, three points above the Five Stripes, who hung onto a 2-1 triumph over Orlando City.
Match preview
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Montreal took care of business on the final matchday of the regular season, earning a playoff berth for the second time in three seasons.
Laurent Courtois finally got things right down the stretch of the domestic campaign, with his side winning four of their final five MLS affairs.
Le CFM enter this encounter on a four-match unbeaten run at Saputo Stadium, outscoring the opposition by a combined margin of 9-1 over that stretch.
This team have won their last seven matches played across all competitions when scoring the opening goal and are unbeaten in 10 consecutive matches when doing so.
Over the past few weeks, they have drastically improved their defensive structure, posting three clean sheets in their final five encounters.
Tuesday will be their first playoff game at Saputo Stadium since 2022, when they were eliminated in the Eastern Conference semi-finals by New York City FC (3-1).
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Despite the odds being stacked against them, Atlanta are in the post-season, winning their final encounter and getting some help from Charlotte FC, who defeated DC United 3-0.
That enabled them to finish ahead of the Black and Red for the final post-season place on goal difference, qualifying for the playoffs for a second successive occasion.
Rob Valentino saw his side come on strong down the stretch of the season, earning at least a point in five of their final six MLS encounters.
Atlanta United are unbeaten in their last four league contests away from home, but they have suffered four successive playoff defeats as the visitors.
The Five Stripes collected 13 points when conceding first in the regular season but also dropped 13 when drawing first blood.
They have lost three of their previous four visits to Saputo Stadium against Le CFM, with their last victory in Montreal occurring during the 2023 campaign (1-0).
Team News
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In their victory over New York City, Lassi Lappalainen was available on the substitutes bench but did not feature as he is just getting over a lower-body injury, while Nathan-Dylan Saliba is eligible to return from his yellow card suspension.
Goals from Caden Clark and Josef Martinez helped propel them to victory against the Boys in Blue, with Jonathan Sirois earning a third successive clean sheet at Saputo Stadium.
Because of a knock, Edwin Mosquera was sidelined from the previous Atlanta fixture, Xande Silva was an unused substitute, having just recovered from a foot issue and Quentin Westberg sat out due to a head injury.
First-half strikes by Saba Lobzhanidze and Jamal Thiare were enough to lift the Five Stripes to a second successive 2-1 triumph on Saturday.
CF Montreal possible starting lineup:
Sirois; Campbell, Waterman, Alvarez; Marshall-Rutty, Piette, Saliba, Edwards; Duke, Clark; Martinez
Atlanta United possible starting lineup:
Guzan; Lennon, Rode Gregersen, Williams, Amador; Slisz, Fortune; Lobzhanidze, Muyumba, Wolff; Thiare
We say: CF Montreal 2-0 Atlanta United
Montreal's momentum, along with the form of former Atlanta striker Josef Martinez, has us leaning towards another home triumph for Le CFM.
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