September 28, 2024; Montreal, Quebec, Canada; Montreal forward Josef Martinez (17) kicks the ball during the first half against the San Jose Earthquakes at Saputo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images Montreal will face Charlotte on Saturday night in what is expected to be a playoff berth.
CF Montreal (10 wins, 12 draws, 10 losses, 40 points) has now won three consecutive games and is unbeaten in five games. During this period, it has won four games. As long as one win, plus any game, can lock the season. Playoff seats.
Montreal could also advance to the playoffs with a tie and loss to Philadelphia or Washington, D.C.
Montreal is three points ahead of Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., in eighth place in the Eastern Conference, one spot above the playoff line. They understand that a loss at Charlotte with two games remaining could hurt their chances of making the playoffs.
“We know, especially in this league, everything can change after one game,” Montreal goaltender Jonathan Sirois said. “We all realize (Washington and Philadelphia) are right behind us and they're waiting for us to slip up, (so) we can't get comfortable.”
Montreal's key man is Joseph Martinez, who has two goals in each of his last two games and five in his last three. Martinez has now scored a team-best 10 goals.
Charlotte FC (12 wins, 11 draws, 9 losses, 45 points) has already qualified for the playoffs, but has a chance to reach the top four in the Eastern Conference and have home court advantage at least in the first round.
Seventh-place Charlotte is four points behind fourth-place Orlando City but must overcome New York City FC and the New York Red Bulls in its final two games to secure fourth place.
Charlotte remains undefeated in its past three games (2-0-1) after beating the Chicago Fire 4-3 on Wednesday, a game in which Carol Swiderski scored twice . The club has scored nine goals in its last three games.
“I just think at this point, guys can see the finish line,” Charlotte head coach Dean Smith said. “There's not a lot of races left…so they're excited about it. But when you see the finish line, there's a sense of excitement that comes with it and what you can go and achieve and achieve, and I think that's it. Give the lads a lift now.
Lil Abada and Junior Urso also scored against the Flames, with Urso's goal being the midfielder's first since signing with Charlotte in February. . With this victory, Charlotte improved its home record to 8 wins, 3 draws and 5 losses.
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