CF Montreal head coach Laurent Courtois says the membership “need extra” as they appear to beat Atlanta United within the MLS playoffs Jap Convention Wild Card match.
Montreal had appeared unlikely candidates to make the playoffs, having endured a torrid run which noticed them win simply three of 15 video games between June and mid-September.
Nevertheless, they rallied of their last 5 video games of the common season, profitable 4 of their last 5 video games to seal eighth place within the Jap Convention.
Having secured house benefit for the tie, their first playoff recreation at Saputo Stadium since 2022, Courtois expects his gamers to be prepared for the massive match.
“We form of stunned folks already, however Tuesday is simply an incredible recreation, and I’m so happy with these guys and workers, all of the those who assist us to do one thing fascinating,” Courtois instructed reporters.
“We’re happy to get the playoff spot in entrance of our followers, however now we would like extra. There’s no cockiness, not an excessive amount of humbleness. We simply go.
“You don’t change on on recreation day. It simply doesn’t occur that approach. We belief the blokes to recuperate physique and thoughts and be prepared for the duty in opposition to Atlanta.”
Locked in.
The 2024 Audi #MLSCupPlayoffs are set. pic.twitter.com/wAqiTRTUR3
— Main League Soccer (@MLS) October 20, 2024
In the meantime, Atlanta overturned the percentages on determination day to guide ninth place on objective distinction, as they beat Orlando Metropolis 2-1, but additionally received assist as D.C. United and Philadelphia Union each misplaced.
They’ve received each of their matches since shedding to Montreal at the beginning of October, and interim head coach Rob Valentino was delighted that they proved folks fallacious.
“There’s loads of feelings, however primarily pleasure for the gamers and workers who’ve had a troublesome 12 months,” he stated.
“It exhibits that you are able to do something for those who preserve exhibiting up, doing all of your work, staying resilient, staying persistent.
“I believed on this group till the top, and it feels higher after folks wrote us off, however we’ve received ourselves in, and now we have to go and show ourselves once more.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
CF Montreal – Josef Martinez
Atlanta United’s all-time main scorer, Josef Martinez, now taking part in for Montreal, has scored 4 targets in 211 all-time minutes in opposition to the 5 Stripes.
The ensuing 1.71 targets per 90 minutes charge is the best of any participant in opposition to Atlanta in MLS play (min. 200 minutes performed).
Atlanta United – Saba Lobjanidze
Saba Lobjanidze completed the common season as Atlanta’s main goalscorer, netting 9 occasions, together with one of their last match in opposition to Orlando Metropolis.
He solely had two pictures in that recreation, creating simply 0.13 anticipated targets (xG), however transformed his huge probabilities, and had probably the most touches within the field amongst his team-mates (5).
That is all due to you, Atlanta #UniteThe404 pic.twitter.com/A7xS21L3F6
— Atlanta United FC (@ATLUTD) October 20, 2024
MATCH PREDICTION: CF MONTREAL WIN
This would be the first postseason assembly between CF Montreal and Atlanta United. Montreal received each conferences this season, their first league double over the 5 Stripes.
Montreal have received 5 of their six all-time house playoff matches (L1), although the lone defeat got here of their final house playoff match, a 3-1 loss to New York Metropolis FC within the 2022 Convention Semifinals.
This can be Atlanta’s second single-leg playoff knockout match on the highway after shedding 2-0 at NYCFC within the 2021 First Spherical. Atlanta have misplaced their final 4 away playoff matches total, together with each video games in Columbus within the 2023 First Spherical.
Nevertheless, they received their last two matches of the common season, their first set of back-to-back wins in all competitions since March. The 5 Stripes haven’t received three straight matches in all competitions in over three years, since a three-match run in September 2021.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
CF Montreal – 41.2%
Draw – 26.7%
Atlanta United – 32.2%