Despite poor start to MLS season, CF Montreal holding heads high

Chicago Fire FC forward Jonathan Bamba (19) is defended by CF Montreal defender Jalen Neal (2) and midfielder Matthew Longstaff (8) during the first half of an MLS soccer match, Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Kamil Krzaczynski)

CF Montreal’s annual season-opening road trip has become a recurring headache for the club.

Due to the lack of winterproofing at Stade Saputo and limited access to the Olympic Stadium’s indoor pitch, the club has been forced start every season without the support of a home crowd.

At most, Montreal has played only a single Major League Soccer home game in its first five, dating back to the 2017 season.

This situation is nothing new, but what is noticeably different about this year is how poorly the start has gone.

With back-to-back losses by scores of 5-0 and 3-0, Montreal is firmly in MLS’s basement, having provided nothing in the way of attacking football.

Over the two games, Montreal has failed to make any kind of impact offensively, yielding just 0.4 expected goals over 180 minutes of play, including 40 minutes with an 11 versus 10 man advantage.

“We have worked hard in pre-season, staying for 40 days without seeing family, which is very difficult for players and staff. We’ve made great sacrifices to go on the pitch and try to win,” said head coach Marco Donadel.

“But I’m not satisfied, and we’re working hard to be better. We have eight new players and lost some important ones like every team, and we haven’t found the right solutions in difficult games.”

The defensive side of the ball has scarcely been better, struggling in most phases of play.

With several new arrivals over the past several months occupying prominent roles along the backline and struggling to fully integrate with Donadel’s particularly demanding system, growing pains are coming at a high cost.

Since the departure of standout defender George Campbell last July, the club has brought in three central defenders, three full-backs, and a new goalkeeper, forcing unacquainted players to build chemistry from scratch.

“We’re a professional team, and we want to hold ourselves to the highest standard that we can. You need to keep yourself accountable and hold your teammates accountable,” said Jalen Neal, whose 12 months in Montreal now make him the second-most senior defender at the club.

“We’re still building as a team, and it’s still early in the season. I wouldn’t say I feel (pressure from the fans), but I can definitely see where they’re coming from, especially after a disappointing season. Everyone at the club is very calm and composed about the situation we’re in right now.”

This was the first full week of training the club managed to have in Montreal since training camp began, with both the atmosphere and intensity improving as the week went on.

The club is forced to put two heavily discouraging losses behind them as the challenge of a high-flying, Eastern Conference-leading New York Red Bulls squad awaits on Sunday.

Montreal’s worst losing streak to start a season happened last year, with three defeats in a row.

“I’m positive, I’m a positive guy. That’s why I’m here doing what I like; I have a passion for this team,” said Donadel, whose vocal involvement in training has grown significantly. “We are motivated, so we don’t need to find a way to get everyone motivated right now.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 5, 2026.