CF Montreal vs DC United Prediction, Preview and Odds - 6/23/21
CF Montreal vs DC United
CF Montreal is eighth in the MLS Eastern Conference with a record of 3-2-3 and 11 points and a +1 goal difference. Montreal defeated the Chicago Fire 1-0 in its most recent MLS fixture on Saturday. Mason Toye scored Montreal’s winning goal in the 87th minute in a match that appeared to be headed for a scoreless draw. With a victory on Wednesday against DC United, CF Montreal would win consecutive MLS matches in the same season for the first time since June of 2019 when defeating the Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers.
DC United is in 6th place in the MLS Eastern Conference with a record of 4-0-5 and 12 points with a -2 goal difference. DC United defeated Inter Miami 1-0 at home last Saturday in its most recent outing. Ola Kamara scored a penalty in the 72nd minute to lead DC United to the victory. Bill Hamid was called on to make only one save for DC United and went on to post his second consecutive shutout and the 72nd of his MLS career. Five matches this season have ended in scores of 1-0 for DC United including two wins and three losses.
CF Montreal Seeking Consistency
CF Montreal has not won consecutive matches in the same season since June of 2019, but can begin to change that lack of consistency with a victory on Wednesday over DC United. In doing so, Montreal must rely on its tough defense that has allowed only one goal prior to half-time this season, which came in the season opener in the 45th minute. Montreal has gone the last seven consecutive matches without allowing a goal prior to the half which is a franchise record.
Mason Toye leads all goal scorers for Montreal with three, while Djordie Mihailovic and Bjorn Johnsen have two goals apiece and three others have scored one goal each. The leader in assists for CF Montreal is Romell Quioto with three and seven players have each added one assist. Montreal has possession 49% of the time this season in their matches and has a passing accuracy of 84.2% while averaging 3.4 corners per match.
DC United Must Score More
DC United has scored nine goals through its first nine matches of the season for an average of 1.00 per match. The club would be far worse than sixth in the Eastern Conference if not for a strong defensive effort that has posted three clean sheets (shutouts) this season and is allowing an average of only 1.22 goals per match. DC United struggles to set up any clear scoring opportunities and must use its counter-attack more times than not to score.
Ola Kamara has four goals to lead DC United, while five other players - Brendan Hines-Ike, Tony Alfaro, Edison Flores, Russell Canouse and Paul Arriola - have each scored one goal. Ten different players for DC United have one assist or more, which is the most in the MLS, with the leader Adrien Perez with two.
Pick: CF Montreal +125
CF Montreal defeated DC United in both meetings last season which included a 1-0 win in the opening MLS is Back tournament following the pandemic. Prior to those two consecutive victories for Montreal, DC United defeated Montreal 3-0 in August of 2019. DC United will have a hard time establishing any scoring opportunities against the CF Montreal defense that is allowing an average of only 1.22 goals per match and has allowed just one goal in the first half through eight matches. CF Montreal will use its attack led by Mason Toye and Romel Quioto to wear down the DC United backline to take all three points at home with a counter-attack goal in a low-scoring defensive struggle.
Total: Under 2.75
DC United is scoring an average of only 1.22 goals per match, while allowing an average of only 1.00 goals. The CF Montreal backline allows an average of only 1.22 goals per match and has given up one goal in the first half all season (eight matches), while scoring an average 1.25 goals. The recognizable 2.5 goals per match for over/under purposes has finished under in 5 of Montreal’s 8 matches and in 5 of DC United’s 9 matches.
