Inter Miami wrap up the MLS regular season on Sunday when they welcome CF Montreal to DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.
Even though both teams are assured of at least one post-season fixture, they both have plenty to play for as Montreal can top the Eastern Conference with a win and a Philadelphia Union draw or loss, while a Herons victory, combined with a New York Red Bulls defeat would give Miami a home playoff game.
Match preview
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In a match with so much at stake for Inter Miami, the home side left no doubt on Wednesday, taking the lead in the opening minute against Orlando City and never looking back, coming away with a convincing 4-1 triumph to claim their second-ever post-season berth.
That was the 32nd point for them at home this season in their last 13 matches, a feat which only Los Angeles FC have bested over that time (34 points).
The two first-half tallies for Miami against the Lions were as many as this team had scored in the opening half in their previous five matches combined, while it was their biggest victory of the campaign.
They have won their last four domestic encounters at DRV PNK Stadium, and the Herons hold a 100% record at home versus Canadian opponents.
No matter how the regular season ends for Phil Neville's men, this will be their highest finish to an MLS campaign, as they ended 2021 in 11th and came in 10th in their inaugural season.
Since losing their opening match of September 3-1 to the Chicago Fire, the Herons have only trailed for a total of 17 minutes, while a win or draw this weekend would set a new club record for the longest unbeaten run in their history.
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When talking about some of the most improved teams from 2021 to this season, CF Montreal have to be near the top of that list.
In front of their fifth sellout crowd of the season last weekend, they collected their 19th victory of the year, the most ever for them in an MLS campaign.
Heading into Decision Day Montreal have claimed 62 points, 16 more than they had in 2021 when they missed the playoffs by two points.
In a campaign that has seen them often look vulnerable on the back end, conceding more goals (49) than they had allowed in any of their three previous campaigns, Wilfried Nancy has seen his side make great strides in that department lately, posting back-to-back clean sheets.
It has been over a year since Montreal have won a regular season affair in Florida, with their last triumph coming at Exploria Stadium, 4-2 over Orlando City in September 2021.
After suffering a lopsided 4-0 defeat at the Los Angeles Galaxy, this team have been on fire away from home, winning six successive road fixtures, with more victories on the road in 2022 (10) than any other club in MLS.
Team News
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In what will be the final season of his footballing career, Gonzalo Higuain has been massive for the Herons down the stretch of this season, with seven goals in his last five games, including a brace versus Orlando City, while Leonardo Campana now has three in his last three games and Ariel Lassiter also tallied on Wednesday, his fourth on the year, moving ahead Robert Taylor for third on the team.
Taylor, Lassiter and Bryce Duke all collected an assist in that game, Drake Callender has conceded just a single goal in three straight home fixtures, while Emerson Rodriguez had the equaliser when they drew 2-2 with Montreal earlier this season.
Gregore missed their match on Wednesday with a yellow card suspension, Alejandro Pozuelo is questionable with a sore groin, as is Corentin Jean with a knee injury.
Brek Shea and Robbie Robinson are expected to sit this one out with hamstring strains, while Ian Fray will not play because of a problem in his knee.
An own goal from Donovan Pines was enough to give Montreal the victory last weekend as James Pantemis made three saves for the shutout and Kei Kamara played in his 390th MLS game; he is now in eighth all-time in league history, having featured in each of their 2022 home fixtures.
Kamara and Djordje Mihailovic are tied for second on the team when it comes to goals scored (eight), with Romell Quioto leading the way (15), and the Honduran notched a brace when they last faced the Herons in early August.
Ahmed Hamdy continues to miss time because of a problem in his right leg, while Tomas Giraldo remains out with a foot injury.
Inter Miami possible starting lineup:
Callender; Yedlin, Lowe, Mabika, McVey; Lassiter, Gregore, Ulloa; Duke; Campana, Higuain
CF Montreal possible starting lineup:
Pantemis; Miller, Camacho, Waterman; Lappalainen, Kone, Wanyama, Brault-Guillard; Mihailovic; Quioto, Toye
We say: Inter Miami 1-2 CF Montreal
Both of these sides have come a long way from a season ago, but we are giving Montreal the edge because they have managed to win matches thanks to some solid collective efforts, whereas Miami have depended heavily on their designated players, Higuain and Campana, to get by.
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Top tip
Joel Lefevre
