Orlando City vs Montréal Prediction: The Lions are poised to roar at home, with Orlando City expected to clinch a narrow 2-1 victory over CF Montréal in this thrilling Leagues Cup encounter.
The Leagues Cup action heats up as Orlando City SC welcomes CF Montréal to Inter&Co Stadium for a pivotal Group East 2 matchup. With both teams eager to start their tournament campaign on a high note, this encounter promises to be an intriguing battle between two Eastern Conference rivals.
Match Preview
Orlando City enters this contest riding a wave of momentum, having gone unbeaten in their last five MLS fixtures. The Lions have been particularly impressive at home, where they’ve outscored opponents 10-3 in their last three matches at Inter&Co Stadium.
CF Montréal, on the other hand, has shown inconsistent form lately. While they’ve managed to secure points in three of their last four games, their away record remains a concern. The Canadian side is winless in their last 11 matches across all competitions away from home.
Orlando City vs Montréal Lineups
Orlando City Lineup Prediction (4-2-3-1): Santos, Ojeda, Thorhallsson, Enrique, Cartagena, Schlegel, Jansson, Araujo, Lodeiro, Gallese, Torres
CF Montréal Lineup Prediction (3-5-2): Choiniere, Waterman, Vilsaint, Alvarez, Coccaro, Piette, Ruan, Sosa, Edwards, Lassiter, Sirois
Injury Updates and Unavailable Players
Orlando City
Orlando City will be missing several key players for this crucial Leagues Cup encounter:
- Mason Stajduhar: The goalkeeper is out for the season due to an undisclosed injury.
- Michael Halliday: The young defender is currently sidelined with a sore knee.
- Duncan McGuire: The forward is unavailable as he’s representing the United States national team at the Olympics in Paris.
CF Montréal
Montréal also has some injury concerns heading into this match:
- Logan Ketterer: The goalkeeper is out of action with a sore ankle.
- Lassi Lappalainen: The Finnish midfielder is sidelined due to a groin injury.
- Mason Toye: The forward will not be available as he was recently sold to the Portland Timbers.
These absences could significantly impact both teams’ strategies and depth for this important Leagues Cup fixture.
Key Players to Watch
Orlando City
Facundo Torres: The young Uruguayan playmaker has been in scintillating form, pulling the strings in Orlando’s attack. His creativity and vision will be crucial in breaking down Montréal’s defense.
Pedro Gallese: Orlando’s shot-stopper has been a wall between the posts, making crucial saves to keep his team in games. His leadership and experience will be vital in this high-stakes tournament match.
CF Montréal
Romell Quioto: The Honduran forward is Montréal’s danger man up front. His pace and clinical finishing could pose problems for Orlando’s backline.
Samuel Piette: The Canadian midfielder’s ability to control the tempo of the game and disrupt the opposition’s rhythm will be key to Montréal’s chances of success.
Where to Watch
Fans can catch all the action live on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV. The match kicks off at 12:00 AM UTC on July 27, 2024.
Orlando City vs Montréal Live Stream and TV Schedule
- USA: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
- Canada: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
- UK: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
- Germany: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
- France: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
- Spain: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
- Italy: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
- Australia: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
- Japan: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
- Brazil: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
Head-to-Head
Recent encounters between these two sides have been closely contested affairs. In their last meeting in April, the teams played out a 2-2 draw. Orlando holds a slight edge in the overall head-to-head record, but Montréal has proven to be a tough opponent in recent years.
Who Will Win?
Given Orlando City’s strong home form and Montréal’s struggles on the road, the Lions appear to have the upper hand. However, the unpredictable nature of tournament football could lead to surprises.
Orlando City vs Montréal Prediction: Orlando City 2-1 CF Montréal
Orlando’s attacking prowess, coupled with their home advantage, should be enough to secure a narrow victory. However, expect Montréal to put up a fierce fight and potentially find the net through a moment of brilliance or a set-piece opportunity.
Standings
Here’s a table based on the current MLS Eastern Conference standings
| Position | Team | MP | D | P |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | New York City | 25 | +6 | 38 |
| 6 | Charlotte | 25 | +3 | 37 |
| 7 | Orlando City | 25 | +1 | 34 |
| 8 | Toronto | 26 | -13 | 30 |
| 9 | Atlanta United | 25 | -1 | 28 |
| 10 | Philadelphia Union | 25 | +3 | 27 |
| 11 | CF Montréal | 25 | -15 | 27 |
| 12 | Nashville SC | 25 | -13 | 26 |
| 13 | D.C. United | 25 | -15 | 26 |
Orlando City currently sits in 7th place in the Eastern Conference with 34 points from 25 matches played and a goal difference of +1. They are in a strong position for a playoff spot.
CF Montréal is in 11th place with 27 points from 25 matches and a goal difference of -15. They are still in contention for a playoff spot but will need to improve their form.
This Leagues Cup match provides both teams an opportunity to build momentum outside of their regular MLS campaign. A strong performance in this tournament could potentially boost their confidence and form when they return to league play.
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