Real Salt Lake faces CF Montreal to maintain lead and unbeaten streak
Real Salt Lake (9-2-6 / 33 points), leader of the Western Conference, continues its impressive 2024 MLS campaign this weekend, facing CF Montreal (4-7-5 / 17 points), 12th in the Eastern Conference, away from home. Saturday night's match is crucial for RSL, aiming to increase their lead at the top and extend their unbeaten streak to 14 games, a club record.
Real Salt Lake is having its best start to a season, amassing 33 points in 17 matches. Under the guidance of coach Pablo Mastroeni, the team shows strength and determination, boasting an impressive undefeated run since March 9. A victory in Montreal would not only solidify their position at the top but also surpass point totals from the 2010 and 2013 seasons, when RSL achieved its tenth win in the 18th MLS match.
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RSL star Arango has been phenomenal, with 16 goals and 9 assists in 17 games. His performance has been crucial to the team's 13-game unbeaten streak (eight wins, five draws) since March 9. During this stretch, RSL has outscored opponents 31-14, often netting decisive goals in the final minutes.
On the other hand, CF Montreal seeks to improve its position in the Eastern Conference, trailing ninth-placed Nashville SC by just two points. Montreal is unbeaten in three games since May 25 and holds a 4-3-2 record against RSL since 2012. Le Onze Montréalais rely on their opponent's slip-ups in the standings and hope luck favors them at Saputo Stadium.
A highlight for CF Montreal is defender Joel Waterman's imminent 100th MLS match for the club. Additionally, Montreal's substitutes have been effective, scoring seven goals this season, just one short of the club record. Sunusi Ibrahim, who scored twice in the last match against DC United, is a key player for the Canadian side. With so much at stake, Saturday's match promises to be an exciting clash of strategies and skills.