CF Montreal v Chicago Fire: Klopas aiming for improvements away from home

Chicago Fire head coach Frank Klopas was left to rue missed opportunities in their 1-0 defeat to Nashville SC in their last MLS encounter.

The Fire travel to face an in-form CF Montreal side at the Stade Saputo this weekend, a ground they have found relative success at over the past couple of seasons.

Klopas’ side currently occupy 14th place in the Eastern Conference standings but are four points from the playoffs.

Sam Surridge’s only goal compounded Chicago to a 15th loss of the season, and Klopas explained how his side’s lacklustre approach cost them in midweek.

“They scored the goal, but we still had a whole second half where we dominated the ball, but the speed of play had to be better,” said Klopas.

“When you have 10 guys behind the ball you have to move the ball quicker. They needed to do it in those moments, and we needed to get crosses in but we didn’t.

“It’s always difficult on the road but look who the first goal came. I think we could have done better all round as a team. We had our moments but didn’t take advantage of them.”

A pit stop back in Chicago. #cf97 | @DrinkBODYARMOR pic.twitter.com/j8lqeupVhz

— Chicago Fire FC (@ChicagoFire) September 19, 2024

Montreal, meanwhile, came from two goals down to salvage a point in their 2-2 draw with the New England Revolution last time out, leaving them a place ahead of this weekend’s opponents.

One of Montreal’s scorers was new arrival Tom Pearce after making the move to the MLS in July from League One side Wigan Athletic.

The 26-year-old’s first career goal in the division saw him become the first player from the United Kingdom to score a regular season goal in MLS for Montreal.

And Pearce believes that despite Montreal being two points behind the playoffs, they can make it to the right side of the line in the final five games of the campaign.

“Playoffs are the goal. Maybe it wasn’t in the best form, but in the end, we are picking up a point,” Pearce said.

“We came into this game confident, ready to play our own game.

“Everyone tries their best, whenever the players are called on, we are always ready, and we are always giving it our best.”

Good point away from home last night, happy to score my first @MLS goal pic.twitter.com/I67RoYWa5W

— Tom Pearce (@Tompearce98) September 19, 2024

PLAYERS TO WATCH

CF Montreal – Josef Martinez

After returning from a knee injury with three goals in his last 10 appearances, Martinez will be keen to strike against a side he has enjoyed recent fixtures against.

The Venezuelan has eight goal contributions (six goals and two assists) against the Fire, a total he has only bettered against four other sides in the MLS.

Chicago Fire – Tobias Salquist

Salquist completed 104 passes in the Fire’s defeat at Nashville SC, the second-most by a Fire player in an MLS match since Opta began detailed data collection of the league in 2010 (Bastian Schweinsteiger – 117 vs. Orlando City in June 2017).

MATCH PREDICTION: CF MONTREAL WIN

Montreal has lost only two of their last 11 home matches in all competitions (W5 D4), including winning three of the last five. Montreal have not won consecutive home matches in a single season since an eight-match home winning streak from April to June last year.

Chicago was held scoreless in their loss to Nashville, the Fire’s ninth time being shutout in an MLS game this season. The only team to be held without a goal in more MLS matches in 2024 is the Coyotes (10).

However, the Fire have lost only two of their 14 all-time visits to Montreal (W9 D3), including winning four of the last five trips. Chicago have not lost in Montreal since a 1-0 defeat in 2017.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

CF Montreal – 45.9%

Draw – 26.7%

Chicago Fire – 27.4%