- Form: Orlando City have lost their last five games in all competitions.
- Away record: CF Montreal have conceded eight goals in three MLS 2026 away matches, winning one and losing two.
- Home form: Orlando City have lost both MLS 2026 home games, conceding six goals in two matches at Exploria Stadium.
Pareja’s possession team out of their depth
Orlando’s struggles
Orlando City SC will be glad to see the back of a nightmare start to their MLS 2026 campaign as they sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings with zero points from three games. Oscar Pareja’s side are in freefall, losing all three games and all five of their last five in all competitions, and their confidence is at an all-time low.
A possession-first, build from the back approach suits Pareja’s squad better, but they are often found out when they try to control the ball and dictate the tempo in games. Griffin Dorsey has been their main outlet, creating chances and contributing one assist in three league games so far.
Montreal’s approach
CF Montreal are 23rd in MLS 2026 having taken three points from their opening three matches, but they have been the better side in the early stages of the season compared to their hosts. Montreal are an all-action side who like to press high, use their wingbacks in attacking areas and create chances in transition by getting in behind the opposition’s defense quickly.
Montreal’s momentum can see them through
Montreal’s intensity and quality in transition could cause Orlando a lot of problems on Saturday, as Pareja’s well-drilled side will be forced into mistakes and transitions they won’t want.
Montreal’s Wikelman Carmona has two goals in his three MLS 2026 appearances, scoring 50% of his team’s goals over the last five matches, while Marco Pasalic is Orlando’s top scorer with one goal in the same amount of games. Orlando have won one of the last five head-to-head matchups, with the other four ending in draws, but Montreal will be riding high on the wave of their recent win and should have enough to see off the hosts.
CF Montreal have failed to win in their last three trips to Orlando, but their most recent match in MLS 2025 finished level at 1-1 and we’re going for the same scoreline this weekend.
- The odds for an away win of 4.47 are simply too big given the respective form of both sides, while ‘Both Teams to Score - Yes’ at 1.49 seems a little too short in comparison.
- Montreal will look to win Saturday’s game by getting into the final third first and capitalising on Orlando’s mistakes, although it’s likely that both teams will get on the scoresheet.
- Marco Donadel has done a great job since taking over in March 2025 and his tactical changes have been met with a positive response from the players, especially their 3-0 win on the road against the New York Red Bulls last time out.
