D.C. United vs. CF Montréal: Preview, time, and how to watch
D.C. United returns home to the District to face CF Montréal at Audi Field for Match Week 7. The Black-and-Red are fresh off a 2-2 tie in St. Louis, while the Bleu-blanc-noir suffered their first defeat of the season against Chicago Fire FC.
The Black-and-Red and the Bleu-blanc-noir sit in 10th and 6th place in the MLS Eastern Conference standings, respectively. D.C. United will be looking to climb a bit further up the table tonight with a decisive home win. Hopefully, the fresh spring weather and home crowd will spur them on.
It is evident that Troy Lesesne has been building a new identity for D.C. in the past weeks, as we are seeing a relentless Black-and-Red side – even when things aren’t going their way. They will have their work cut out for them tonight against Laurent Courtois’ men, but we believe they are more than up for the challenge.
Check out what D.C. United coach Troy Lesesne had to say in the pre-game press conference.
Key Players: Christian Benteke and Ted Ku-DiPietro
Benteke and Ku-DiPietro have rolled their dynamic performances from 2023 into the 2024 season and have been key players for the Black-and-Red. While Benteke brings a wealth of veteran experience and vision to the game, Ku-DiPietro is a young up-and-comer to watch. His tenacious play will take him far as he grows into his role. Both players contributed to the tie against St. Louis City last weekend.
Watch Out For: Josef Martínez
Martínez was acquired by Montréal in February and is one of the League’s most decorated players. We all know him as a firecracker that wreaks havoc on opposing teams’ defense. The Black-and-Red will have to keep the backline tight to hold him back.
Previously: The Black-and-Red last faced Montréal in May of 2023 and Battled to a 2-2 tie at Audi Field. At the time, the Canadian club was under the leadership of Hernán Losada, former D.C. United coach.
CF Montréal Availability:
Out: Mahala Opoku (ankle), Raheem Edwards (suspended)
Questionable: Joaquín Sosa (lower leg), Jules-Anthony Vilsaint (knee)
D.C. United Availability:
Out: Steven Birnbaum (knee), Russell Canouse (not due to injury), Nathan Crockford (head), Tyler Miller (shoulder), Garrison Tubbs (thigh)
Location: Audi Field, Washington, D.C.
Kickoff time: 7:30 pm ET
Referee: Ramy Touchan
Available streaming: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV
Thanks, Sarah we’ll be there at Buzzard Point.
Let’s go! Looking forward to a win tonight, David!
Old Glory down early here 6-0 after 14 minutes with 2 penalty kick goals by Carolina.
DC responds with a try punishing Anthem for their penalties by mauling it over the try lien and dotting down. Robertson converts and its 7-6 to DC at the 19:06 mark and 1st half hydration break called by the ref.
DC with another try and Robertson converts it! 14-6 to DC after 23 minutes. Deep kick off by Anthem. DC responds with a box kick that Anthem fumbled and knocked on. Scrum. Re-scrum. DC breaks it wide and try!
Penalty kick goal by DC. 17-6 to OGDC over Anthem RC in the 28th minute.
Oh crap high tackle by DC and yellow at 35:16…Anthem with a lineout at 5 meter line and man advantage.
Multiple penalties against DC here. Ref another warning. Quick tap and try by Anthem. Conversion is good. 17-13 with 39:18 mark. DC still down a man.
Crap Anthem breaks the line and breaks away for a try zone. Handling error by DC led to it. Conversion is good. Halftime and its 20-17 to Anthem.
Penalties killing DC there in late in the 1st half. Still time on the yellow card sin bin to start the 2nd half.
DC ties it with the pk goal as yellow card sin bin expires. Back to 15 on 15 action at the 44 minute mark.
Try off a maul by DC from 5 meters out. Robertson’s conversion is good. 27-20 to DC after 48 mintues.
DC with another try, but conversion missed. 32-20 to DC after 53 mintues.
Anthem replies with a try that is converted. Its 32-27 to DC after 58 minutes.
Hattrick by a DC player with a 3rd try. Robertson converts. At the 62:34 mark after the conversion ref calls the hydration break. Its 39-27 to DC.
DC steals a lineout moves it quickly and gets it to the edge and breaks through for a try. Bowd converts it. 46-27 after 73 minutes.
Anthem with a quick tap off a dc penalty and scores a try just before 80′ mark. Conversion is no good and ref blows full time. OGDC wins 46-32, but that final try was a bonus point try for Anthem Rugby Carolina.
Interesting lineup
Will be interested to see how the team lines up generally. Assuming a back four, but could be wrong- maybe a 4-4-2?
Looks like I was right, or at least a 4-4-2 was what was released
What’s the radio station frequency for Dave Johnson?
Watching from PA tonight. Klich needs to shoot there, passes to a very offside Benteke instead
MLS, you’re pathetic for not having goalline technology. That wasn’t in, but Christ
Man, how much pressure and how many shots can we have without scoring?!?
I’m reminded of Rolf and his magic hairband scoring on our only shot at Montreal in July/August 2015.
Dammit, Benteke with the most Benteke chance of all time off a header, misses
A few takeaways after that first half.
1. DC has been wasteful with their chances. Benteke in particular.
2. Defense has handled counters pretty well.
3. Antley has been fantastic as the LB.
4. Ku’s energy was sorely missed in previous matches. He single handedly prevented 3 or 4 counters with his tracking back.
Yep. We need to find some composure at the end of these plays
We’d have more goals and wins this season if the team can find its finishing boots…
DC has nearly 16 xG, but only 9 goals actually scored. Hopefully that means an upwards correction in scoring is coming.
I thought I should mention. The US Women Eagels (NT XVs) beat South Africa 38-17 today in the UK to start their year.
Homegrown and US National Teamer Jack Iscaro has spent his entire pro career with OGDC. When he subbed into the game today it was his 50th cap in MLR and for Old Glory!
Ooo straight red for a Montreal CB. And it’s very deserved.
What how is the ref being called for VAR check on that?
Red card rescinded, but it’s a yellow.
My guess is that the red was for exposed studs but it looked like they were just enough to the side.
Should have stayed a red. No plan on the ball, hits the achilles tendon while the player is running. It shouldn’t matter if it’s studs or not.
I think it should be a red, but VAR are less than convinced. Yellow now
Klich gets a lot of pointless yellow carda
Just like his pointless red last season at New England.
I think this one was Klich sending a message–basically looking for an opportunity to punish someone on Montreal for the rescinded red foul on TKDP.
That was a receipt for the studs to Ku-DePietro’s Achilles.
Kilch with a stupid yellow.
Herrera is a sweet, beautiful angel.
When we acquired Herrera I thought “well, okay, we improved our defense somewhat.” Boy was I wrong. He’s the full package. Leading the team in assists, a major threat marauding up on that right side, not a wrong foot defensively, and a physical presence (good in the air, strong body). Boy what an asset!
The attack has gone silent.
A lot of that is TKD being gassed
Benteke had a great hold up play in the box but went for it himself instead of an easy layoff to Klich.
This is the very ecstasy of scoreless
SANTOS!!!
Santos finds the quality!!! It’s in the net!!!
Aaron Herrera is so much better than Ruan that it’s not even funny. So far all of the players Mackay has picked up – excluding Tubbs but he’s injured ofc – have seemed like good value. Now just trade Rodriguez/Jeahze and we’re golden.
I was just telling my folks this
Fletcher with a sensational defensive header!
We win!!!
DC continuing to get results despite lacking some chemistry and cohesion in the attack. Mackay should consider looking for a savvy move for another veteran striker. When Benteke is off DC are toothless.
Having a good striker/winger to put Dajome as an option off the bench. He’s a solid bench option, but not good enough to start for a playoff team. We look like we could be a playoff team.
Drop Jeahaze and Rodriguez for some young talent. Even dropping one of them for a useful player would be something.
Good guys win–all is just in the world (at least for one night). I will have an especially big smile this Easter Sunday.
Good win. Montreal is a well coached team, very organized and greater than the sum of their parts. Watch out of them in the playoffs.