D.C. United vs. CF Montréal: Preview, time, and how to watch
D.C. United looks to extend their home win streak against CF Montréal tonight. Last week, the Black-and-Red stunned Sporting Kansas City 2-1 for their first home win of 2025.
All focus has shifted to tonight’s matchup with Montréal. The Bleu-Blanc-Noir didn’t fare well during their last visit to Audi Field last March, losing 1-0. Laurent Courtois’ men are looking for their first win of 2025 after dropping all three points in each match they have played.
For their part, the Black-and-Red are looking to build on the momentum they’ve gained so far and continue to pick up critical points early in the season. Head coach Troy Lesesne has been laser-focused on building a strong culture on and off the field and developing consistency in the team’s performance.
In this week’s pre-game press conference, Lesesne said, “We wanted to get that first win under our belts for 2025, so we accomplished that. We wanted to get the first win at home because we want to maybe try to recreate the narrative that is around that – as the narrative should have been last season. But this is a new season, and you know it just makes me really happy to see the guys be able to consistently play in the way that we have the first three weeks. I think we’ve been pretty consistent in a lot of what we’ve done, but the things we want to tighten up, I think we’ve also been maybe consistently a little bit erratic at times with the ball, where we give it away in unnecessary situations.”
Hear everything Troy Lesesne had to say at the pre-game press conference here.
Now it’s up to the Black-and-Red to demonstrate the consistency they’ve worked so hard to build on the pitch tonight. We’re ready for it!
Let us know your thoughts about tonight’s match in the comments below and be sure to join us live here during the game to chat with your fellow supporters.
Key Player: Christian Benteke
Veteran striker Christian Benteke has continued to be a phenomenal leader on and off the pitch for D.C. United. He is driven to make the playoffs and recognizes that strong performances, match over match, are the way to get there.
Watch Out For: Jonathan Sirois
Montréal’s goalkeeper leads MLS in saves this season and will challenge the Black-and-Red’s attack. Sirois has 15 saves so far this season, so we will see if Christian Benteke can throw him off his game.
Challenges: Although it is early in the season, D.C. United is under pressure to rack up points and solidify their performances. The Black-and-Red are driven to snag a playoff spot, and these early days will give them an edge.
Previously: D.C. United overcame Montréal last March at Audi Field 1-0, but the Bleu-Blanc-Noir snapped back for a 4-2 home win at Stade Saputo in May.
D.C. United Availability:
Out: Conner Antey (knee), Jackson Hopkins (ankle), Hakim Karamoko (abdomen), Randall Leal (thigh)
Questionable: None
CF Montréal Availability:
Out: Jalen Neal (knee), Samuel Piette (hamstring), Hennadii Synchuk (lower body), Giacomo Vrioni (groin)
Questionable: Prince Owusu (lower body)
Location: Audi Field, Washington, DC
Kickoff time: 7:30 pm ET
Referee: Guido Gonzales Jr
Available streaming: MLS Season Pass on Apple TV





Thanks, Sarah. This is my last in-person match at Buzzard Point before I head for Buenos Aires for the next six weeks.
Same starting lineup.
That means Enow.
Lesesne, stop this.
Old Glory fell to Chicago in a hard fought match 30-26. The Chicago Hounds continue their hot streak to start the season with their 3rd win in 4 games and their sole loss to Utah. Old Glory falls to 2W 2L 0D.
Early in, Owusu manages to have a lead toward goal on a ball over the top, thankfully no finish
I wonder if tonight, Barajas will get a debut off the bench
Huh, audio issues with the stream, at least the local radio one
OK, we are definitely playing a bad, lackluster team. No way we shouldn’t be able to put something together in the final third.
Fun fact: unless I’m mistaken, DC hasn’t won a match officiate by this referee in like 5 years.
Herrera sorta clotheslines a Montreal player with a hooked arm, gets a yellow, bad decision
Montreal almost draw first blood off a long distance Herbers shot, goes off the post. Let’s get it together
Enow potentially injured. Responsible for the giveaway, hustles back for a big tackle in the box
Bartlett dribbles into space, draws a yellow from Herbers
We get lucky again.
Sealy for Montreal with a dynamite cross from the left that Owusu generously fucks up
We need to stop Sealy he seems to have Herrera’s number
If I landed like Benteke just did on his arm, mine would snap like a twig
Herbers puts another one off the woodwork.
Montreal we should be able to overcome in their defensive third, but our high press looks to be a bad tactic as they counter for good opportunities at will.
BENTEKE!
Damn looks like its coming back.
Going to VAR I guess for a possible handball
Benteke!!!
Dude is monster, glad he’s our monster
No goal, Benteke hit it forward with his hand
Sealy gets a yellow for a dive in the box.
Ref did well there
Sealy picks up a yellow for simulation.
Peglow really should have had another assist, come on, Pirani
Well, pat on the back for Peglow and the scouting department, I like this guy.
Ditto for Kijima. He’s been fantastic at CDM so far.
We can’t have Herrera bomb forward tonight
It’s not just tonight; he hasn’t been bombing forward much at all so far this season. I’ve been wondering if having him stay home more was some sort of (bizarre) game plan from Lesesne
You misunderstand me, I don’t think he should with Sealy on the wing.
No misunderstanding; just pointing out that it fits in a wider trend. I was wondering before this game. Even if I think it’s a good idea here (and I agree that it is), I don’t think it was for the first two games.
Rowles picks up his 3rd yellow in 4 games…
Makes you wonder how Tubbs is doing in training
Kinda soft yellow on Rowles.
Our backline might be in trouble
Owusu: big target forward who holds up play and draws a lot of fouls and therefore yellows.
Benteke: big target forward who holds up play but somehow doesn’t draw any fouls or yellows?
The difference? Owusu just falls down more.
He’s also a more elegant runner, Benteke gets fouls for form instead of conduct.
Browsing YouTube during the commercial break.
Hal Hershfelt just said The Spirit play Thunderstruck by AC/DC before every game.
Love that.
This is Sealy’s debut, apparently, and he clearly wasn’t scouted by us, cuz it took a LONG time to adjust
Arguably the best first half of the season for DC. Attack looks really fluid down both flanks – the left slightly more so. Defense has bent but hasn’t broken. Only real concern is DC isn’t compensating for Montreal overloading DC’s right flank which has led to some beautiful crosses.
Also. I want to root for Pirani so bad, but he’s terrible in front of goal, gets pushed off the ball in possession, and doesn’t make defenders miss very often. He’s lucky Leal seems to be suffering from some serious-ish injury.
I think the players themselves are doing well, not sure the system or idea is. Our pressing is basically just denying ourselves space rather than leading to turnover attacks, and Montreal has passed up several opportunities running into space.
I know Lesesne hates the midblock, but it would mean an easy win, IMO
On that note, just discipline in the press, in general would greatly improve the team’s shape and organization. DC gets baited into obvious give-and-gos way too often. Chasing rather than forcing the opposition to pick them part and think.
I’d argue you have to sit a bit deeper to do that, TBH.
I mean, yea. I wasn’t disagreeing with you, lol.
Question. Any idea who on the bench is wearing 99? Seems a bit interesting, or audacious.
Barajas, the young loanee
Barajas. Got it.
Even if they haven’t scored, anyone who is watching this game wondering how to shut down Benteke and lacerate our backline might have an answer, unfortunately. Back three, double pivot, wide attacking fullbacks. Seems like a problem for us.
For all the crap we give Pirani about not finishing, we should absolutely note that Stroud is at least as ineffective
As much as I love Kijima as a two way DM, we may need him in the 10 if Pirani doesn’t do it this game
Well, Kijima and Enow are out, and Peltola and Servania are in
Peltola for Kijima? And Servania for Enow…
I’m a fan of Peglow’s style of looking for the cross, and cutting inside only when there’s a real opening. It’s refreshing
Peltola takes one from far out
Random stadium note: they’ve removed almost all of the advertising boards from the East stand, by the benches, this season. I wonder if they had issues with a sponsor, or had trouble selling ad space.
Bartlett’s floating, crazy header back is handled like an NBA star by Joon
Schnegg, Herrera, and Rowles all on a yellow. Gulp.
Schnegg picks up a yellow…that’s 3 on the backline with yellows…
Peltola draws a yellow out of Clark who just came on.
Pirani goes for goalies and completely misses
Sorry, what on earth is Pirani doing taking a direct fk from a shooting spot?
Waterman picks up a yellow for Montreal for something off the ball.
Lesesne has utterly failed to get his team to find space to attack.
Wait, Pirani’s off, who subbed in?
Must have been Murrell
I don’t think this ref knows what a shoulder-to-shoulder challenge is.
Joon with 2 huge saves
Joon with a great doubleplay
This might be a slightly competitive slap fight, but it is a slap fight. Weak if either team dreams of the playoffs.