There are three big points at stake in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Wednesday Atlanta United host CF Montreal in the 32nd game of the MLS regular season for both teams.

Both teams are on the verge of the playoffs, with the Five Stripes three points below that final spot after a 1-1 draw against the Philadelphia Union, while Le CFM share the final spot in the Eastern Conference with the Union, defeating the San Jose Earthquakes 3-0.

Game preview

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In a game that could have significantly closed the gap between them and a postseason berth, Atlanta came away empty-handed, managing just one shot on goal against Philly.

This extended their winning streak in the MLS to four games Rob ValentinoManchester United’s men only have three games left to make it to the playoffs for the second year in a row.

Two of their last three league meetings have come at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where they have only managed five wins this year, which is the second fewest in the Eastern Conference.

The Five Stripes have suffered just one loss in their last six home games in the competition, losing 2-0 to Nashville SC earlier this month.

A loss on Wednesday would be their 14th of the year and would tie a club record set in 2022 for most losses in a single regular season.

Atlanta United has never lost a home game against Canadian opponents in this competition since officially joining the league in 2017.

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Seemingly out of nowhere, CF Montreal has come to life. He is currently undefeated in four games domestically and is on the verge of his first postseason berth since 2022.

If they can avoid a loss on Wednesday, Montreal will manage to match its longest unbeaten streak of the 2024 regular season.

Their poor goal difference currently separates them from a playoff spot, with this group having the third-worst mark in the Eastern Conference at -17.

All year round, Laurent CourtoisManchester’s men struggled to keep the ball out of the goal and conceded the second most goals in the East (61), but they go into this game having kept consecutive clean sheets.

Two of the remaining three league games are away from home, where they have remained winless in 12 consecutive domestic matches.

Le CFM has lost two of its last three meetings against Atlanta, but won the last meeting at Saputo Stadium (1-0) earlier this year.

Atlanta United Major League Soccer form:

CF Montreal Major League Soccer Form:

Team news

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The Five Stripes could be missing from this encounter Jamal Thiarewho was in the concussion protocol last weekend, and Ronald Hernandez is questionable due to a sore ankle.

Xande Silva could miss Wednesday’s game with a foot injury Quentin Westberg remains questionable due to a head injury.

Saba Lobzhanidze He tied the Union game 11 minutes after the Five Stripes conceded on Saturday, scoring his eighth goal of the MLS season.

Lassi Lappalainen had to sit out the previous game for Le CFM due to an injury David Bugaj made his first MLS appearance for them as a substitute and Nathan Dylan Saliba was the fourth player from his academy to play 50 league games.

Only one change was made to Montreal’s starting lineup on Saturday, with Joel Waterman is included in the lineup instead of Gabrielle Corbo.

Joseph Martineza former Atlanta United star striker, scored a brace for Montreal against the Quakes and scored the other goal Caden Clarkwhile Jonathan Sirois collected his second goal in a row.

Possible Atlanta United starting lineup:
Guzan; Lennon, Rode Gregersen, Williams, Amador; Slisz, McCarty; Lobzhanidze, Muyumba, Wolff; Rios

CF Montreal possible starting lineup:
Sirois; Campbell, Waterman, Alvarez; Marshall-Rutty, Piette, Saliba, Edwards; Duke, Clark; Martínez

We say: Atlanta United 1:1 CF Montreal

Montreal has taken care of business in recent games, but on Wednesday they face an opponent far superior to the previous two and we expect a stalemate between two teams that desperately want to stay in the playoff race but may not are so interested in taking a lot of risks in the future.

For data analysis of the most likely outcomes, scores and more for this game, please click here.

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