It doesn't take long to figure out the theme for Saturday's match between CF Montreal and visiting FC Cincinnati: Redemption.
Both sides are coming off disappointing outcomes in their last match April 6. CF Montreal was waxed 5-0 in Seattle and FC Cincinnati dropped a 2-1 home decision to the New York Red Bulls.
"I wasn't pleased with how we went about the game," FC Cincinnati coach Pat Noonan said. "We're gonna lose games. The discussion revolves around what it looks like in the process of not getting a result. ... it didn't look like a good version of our team."
FC Cincinnati (3-1-3, 12 points) dropped to fifth in the Eastern Conference after conceding a second-half goal for the first time since May 2023. They were outshot 10-8 and managed only four shots on goal, three after Yuya Kubo's header found the back of the net in the third minute.
"We need to be able to do our thing and play our way," captain Leonardo Acosta said.
CF Montreal (2-3-1, 7 points) have dropped three straight matches and must be looking forward to their home opener. Defense has been a real problem lately as Montreal has permitted 10 goals in its losing streak.
The team played the final 37 minutes plus stoppage time in Seattle without Nathan Saliba, who earned a red card in his first start of the season.
"A disappointment beyond the result," CF Montreal coach Laurent Courtois said of the lopsided loss. "We lacked competitiveness, solidarity and humility. We have to back up our intentions with real action on the pitch and we didn't do that."
CF Montreal was outshot by a whopping 20-5, including 12-2 in shots on frame. It was not the kind of performance its coach and players wanted at the end of a long road trip.
"We got some good results early in the season," said midfielder Joel Waterman. "No excuses about a long road trip. It is on us to be motivated and bring that with us to every match."
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