PREVIEW – The Toronto FC vs CF Montreal game will take place at BMO Field on August 20. Both Canadian teams will come away after a disappointing Leagues Cup performance where both teams failed to make the knockout stage.
Toronto FC vs CF Montreal: TFC Looks to Break Eight-Game Losing Streak
CF Montreal (2-0-3)
CF Montreal is not in great form. This is especially true when one knows that four of Montreal’s last five games were at home. Despite having two recent home games in the Leagues Cup, Montreal lost one game to D.C. United and won another game, but only via penalties against Liga MX side, Pumas UNAM. A big reason for that is Montreal gave up three second-half goals overall in their two games in the 2023 Leagues Cup. This is what CF Montreal defender, Joel Waterman, said after the game (source: The Canadian Press of Sportsnet)
“We try (after halftime) and come out like we do in the beginning of the game with the right mindset,” said defender Joel Waterman. “We knew what they were going to do, it’s the only thing they got, and they got us on it. That’s unacceptable and there’s no excuse for it.”
The move. The finish. 🤌 pic.twitter.com/WTIuQuVKHC
— D.C. United (@dcunited) July 27, 2023
This included a late goal given up against D.C. United on June 26. This would end up costing Montreal the game and the end of their competition in the Leagues Cup. In MLS play, their leading scorers include Chinonso Offer, followed up by Romell Quioto (who may not play in the game on August 20). This is while Choiniere leads the team with three assists.
Toronto FC (0-0-5)
When including the two losses in the Leagues Cup, the story of TFC is turning from bad to ugly. They have now lost their last eight games overall and are winless in their last 11 games. Terry Dunfield, the head coach of TFC has been the head coach for the last six games without even earning a point. However, Jonathan Osorio certainly does not blame him (source: The Canadian Press):
“A great person and a great personality,” midfielder Osorio, Toronto’s longest-serving player, said of Dunfield. “He is a good coach. He is putting us in a position to be successful. But there’s a lot of variables right now that we have to deal with that even he does not have control over,” Osorio said. “He’s doing everything he can, and as players, we’re backing him.”
Mounsef's first goal 🇩🇿 #ForTheCity pic.twitter.com/yTTIUvaImB
— New York City Football Club (@NYCFC) July 27, 2023
The players are aware of the goals they have given up. This is especially true in the 4-0 loss to New York City FC. Raoul Petretta in the same article mentioned it:
“It’s on us, on the pitch,” defender Petretta said. “We have to work harder; we have to be better.”
READ MORE: Federico Bernardeschi: His Influence with Toronto FC
Players to watch with TFC include their midfielder, Osorio, who has one goal and four assists. The other one is Italian, Federico Bernardeschi, who has three goals and four assists, and Deandre Kerr, who has scored two goals.
Injuries for Both Teams and Head-to-Head Between the Teams
Throw this log on the fiery wreck of this season. GK Sean Johnson expected to be out 4-6 weeks with a broken hand. #TFCLive pic.twitter.com/Iz27ztliM5
— Michael Leach (@LeachCityNewsTO) August 16, 2023
As outlined above, a big blow for TFC heading into the rivalry game against Montreal. Sean Johnson, TFC’s goalkeeper, got a hand fracture and will be out for four-six weeks and will not be part of the team’s roster on Sunday.
TFC has other notable injuries to their most-well known players like Lorenzo Insigne (hip injury) and Michael Bradley (muscle injury). Cristian Gutierrez is also out with a hip injury and also Lorenzo Insigne with a muscle injury. This is while Adam Diamande had a muscle injury and Greg Ranjitsingh suffered an abdominal injury. Also, CF Montreal has an injury to a very key player with Quioto.
READ MORE: Three Takeaways: CF Montreal’s Impressive Form Continues
CF Montreal had the more recent success against Toronto FC. This includes this year, where Montreal won twice against TFC this year. This included an impressive 2-1 win on the road against Toronto FC.
In fact, in the last six games between these two teams, Montreal has won five times. This includes the team from the province of Quebec winning the 2021 Voyageurs Cup. The only win for TFC in that time period was that 4-0 win at BMO Field last year against Montreal in the 2022 Canadian Championship semi-finals stage.
Toronto FC vs CF Montreal Predictions and Time of the Game
Predictions: Toronto FC 2 – CF Montreal 3
It will be a high-scoring game, but unfortunately, TFC will fall again at BMO Field. The last time TFC won was on May 27 and the last time Toronto got a result at home was on June 10. Since then, TFC lost their last three games at BMO Field, and if things do not change, they could lose another at home. The game will be on Sunday, August 20 in Toronto. The game will be available for free on Apple TV. For Canadian viewers, it will be televised nationally on TSN, and for the French-Canadian speakers. The game is also on RDS and it will kickoff at 7:39pm ET.
Photo Credit: David Kirouac-USA TODAY Sports, of a Kobe Franklin and Chinonso Offor Headshot, on May 13, 2023.
