CF Montreal head coach Laurent Courtois says the membership “need extra” as they appear to beat Atlanta United within the MLS playoffs Japanese 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.
Nonetheless, they rallied of their remaining 5 video games of the common season, profitable 4 of their remaining 5 video games to seal eighth place within the Japanese Convention.
Having secured dwelling 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 shocked individuals already, however Tuesday is simply an incredible recreation, and I’m so happy with these guys and employees, all of the folks that assist us to do one thing attention-grabbing,” Courtois advised reporters.
“We’re happy to get the playoff spot in entrance of our followers, however now we wish extra. There’s no cockiness, not an excessive amount of humbleness. We simply go.
“You don’t swap on on recreation day. It simply doesn’t occur that manner. We belief the blokes to get well 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 chances on determination day to e book ninth place on objective distinction, as they beat Orlando Metropolis 2-1, but additionally acquired assist as D.C. United and Philadelphia Union each misplaced.
They’ve received each of their matches since shedding to Montreal initially of October, and interim head coach Rob Valentino was delighted that they proved individuals unsuitable.
“There’s plenty of feelings, however primarily pleasure for the gamers and employees who’ve had a troublesome yr,” he stated.
“It exhibits that you are able to do something for those who hold displaying up, doing all of your work, staying resilient, staying persistent.
“I believed on this group till the tip, and it feels higher after individuals wrote us off, however we’ve acquired 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 objectives in 211 all-time minutes in opposition to the 5 Stripes.
The ensuing 1.71 objectives per 90 minutes price 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 instances, together with one of their remaining match in opposition to Orlando Metropolis.
He solely had two photographs in that recreation, creating simply 0.13 anticipated objectives (xG), however transformed his massive probabilities, and had essentially the most touches within the field amongst his team-mates (5).
That is all because of 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 dwelling playoff matches (L1), although the lone defeat got here of their final dwelling playoff match, a 3-1 loss to New York Metropolis FC within the 2022 Convention Semifinals.
This shall 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 general, together with each video games in Columbus within the 2023 First Spherical.
Nonetheless, they received their remaining 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%
