CF Montreal v Los Angeles FC: Guests in last MLS check earlier than ´extremely thrilling´ America play-o
Los Angeles FC face CF Montreal on Saturday earlier than turning their consideration to the “honour” of a Membership World Cup play-off in opposition to Membership America.
Following Membership Leon’s elimination from FIFA’s new showpiece event attributable to a breach of multi-club possession guidelines, world soccer’s governing physique has labored to determine a substitute.
LAFC and America have been chosen for a play-off match to battle for a berth within the World Cup, with the date set for Could 31.
“It’ll be an honour for us to play in it,” mentioned LAFC common supervisor John Thorrington.
“LAFC has been concerned in a whole lot of huge video games in our considerably quick historical past, and we’re extremely excited.”
This mammoth match is available in a testing interval for LAFC, with head coach Steve Cherundolo having introduced he will probably be leaving on the finish of the season.
However Thorrington insisted current weeks have “not been a whirlwind” and urged Cherundolo’s choice had had a “galvanising” impact on the group as they “chase success on all fronts”.
Nonetheless, he mentioned: “For us, as a membership, it’s concerning the subsequent recreation.”
That subsequent recreation is in opposition to Montreal, the place LAFC will probably be seeking to return to successful methods after Cherundolo described the “pure disappointment” of final week’s El Trafico draw with the LA Galaxy.
Subsequent up, a visit to Montréal #LAFC | @Ticketmaster pic.twitter.com/jhFIIfO0X9
— LAFC (@LAFC) Could 21, 2025
The coach added: “We will’t lose sight of the journey we’re on for your entire season. The steps we’ve made as a gaggle have been very constructive. We’re on a great path.”
LAFC definitely look to be on a greater path than Montreal, who come into this recreation having adopted up a 6-1 derby defeat to Toronto FC by shedding to Forge FC within the Canadian Championship.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
CF Montreal – Fernando Alvarez
Joel Waterman’s crimson card in opposition to Toronto set in movement one of the depressing matches in Montreal historical past, with younger defender Alvarez the unlucky substitute who was launched to aim to plug a gaping gap.
LAFC are hardly more likely to be extra forgiving opponents, however Alvarez might have extra alternative to impress in a full XI as Montreal look to repair their terrible defensive points.
LAFC – Denis Bouanga
One of many males Alvarez could also be tasked with stopping is Bouanga, however that’s a lot simpler mentioned than executed.
His run of contributing a aim involvement in seven straight matches is the most effective such sequence in MLS this season, whereas solely Carlos Vela and Mateusz Bogusz have ever loved higher streaks in LAFC historical past.
MATCH PREDICTION: LAFC WIN
LAFC have received their solely two earlier conferences with Montreal, and the Canadian facet would have been in higher fettle going into these matches than this one.
Montreal are certainly one of solely seven groups in MLS to have one win or fewer by way of 14 matches, whereas the Toronto rout continued a regarding development, with that their fourth defeat by 5 or extra targets because the begin of the 2023 season.
In the meantime, LAFC are unbeaten in seven matches since their elimination from the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
CF Montreal – 23.4%
Draw – 22.5%
LAFC – 54.1%
