With their playoff fate back in their hands, CF Montreal travel to Bank of America Stadium on Saturday to compete Charlotte FC in the penultimate game of the MLS season for both teams.

The Crown officially clinched a postseason spot in the Eastern Conference thanks to a 4-3 win over the Chicago Fire, and Le CFM got over the playoff line with a narrow 2-1 win over Atlanta United.

Game preview

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Charlotte was firing on all cylinders early Wednesday, scoring three goals in the first 45 minutes and narrowly securing the win.

This win not only secured a spot in the playoffs Dean Smithbut they now have 45 points, surpassing their previous record in a single MLS season set in 2023 (43).

This month at home, Charlotte found new life in its attacking third, scoring four goals in each of its final two regular-season games at Bank of America Stadium.

That total of eight goals is as many as this team has scored in its last nine MLS games in North Carolina.

A win this weekend would equal a club record for the most in a single season, a mark they set in their first MLS season in 2022.

Charlotte FC is undefeated in its last three home games of the regular season against teams from Canada, including a 3-2 win over Toronto earlier this year.

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In Montreal, a season that seemed almost weeks ago suddenly comes to life at the most critical point of the season.

Laurent Courtois has led this group to a five-game MLS unbeaten streak, with his team currently sitting eighth in the East with 40 points.

That puts them three points above the playoff line and could potentially clinch a spot in the postseason if they win this game and the Philadelphia Union don’t win their game.

Prior to this encounter, Le CFM is winless in 12 consecutive away games in the competition, with its last MLS win coming as a guest at Inter Miami (3-2) in March.

A win on Saturday would end this long winless streak and give them 43 points, surpassing their point total from the previous domestic season (41).

Le CFM has never lost or conceded a goal at Bank of America Stadium, beating Charlotte 2-0 in 2022 and earning a 0-0 draw in this very game a season ago.

Charlotte FC form in Major League Soccer:

CF Montreal Major League Soccer Form:

Team news

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A sore hip remains Jahlane Forbes from the field for the Crown on Wednesday, during Nikola Petkovic suffered a knee injury in training and is likely to retire from this competition.

Earlier this week, the club reached an agreement with the starting goalkeeper Kristijan Kahlinawho commits the Croatian until 2027 with an option for 2028.

Karol Swiderski scored a brace against the Fire in the first half Junior Urso And Liel Abada also find the back of the net.

Montreal was once again without a midfielder Lassi Lappalainenwith the Finnish midfielder missing due to a lower body injury.

We saw the same starting XI for them as in their last meeting with the San Jose Earthquakes, with Joaquin Sosa an unused substitute and has been eyeing a return to the lineup since his departure.

Joseph Martinez has come alive in the attacking third, scoring five goals in his last three games and scoring his second brace in a row on Wednesday.

Possible Charlotte FC starting lineup:
Kahlina; Byrne, Malanda, Privett, Ream; Urso, Westwood; Biel, Vargas, Abada; Swiderski

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

We say: Charlotte FC 1-2 CF Montreal

Montreal has found a new gear in recent weeks, and we think the desperation will continue this weekend against Charlotte, who may feel a little reassured knowing their spot in the postseason is assured.

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

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