MONTREAL – The CF Montréal is still searching for consistency early in the 2026 Major League Soccer season. After dropping its first two matches – against San Diego FC and the Chicago Fire – the team has shown flashes of improvement, but head coach Marco Donadel acknowledges they haven’t yet found the winning formula. The search for that consistency continues as the team navigates a crowded roster and a challenging schedule.
Following those initial setbacks, Montréal secured a scoreless draw against the New York Red Bulls before falling to Orlando City SC in a match Donadel felt could have gone either way. The team’s ability to compete, even in defeat, is a positive sign, but converting chances remains a key area for improvement. Donadel emphasized the need to be more clinical in the final third, a struggle that carried over from the previous season.
“I’m going to be honest, I’m really very happy with the performance in Orlando,” Donadel said after Thursday’s training session at Complexe sportif Marie-Victorin, as reported by Radio-Canada Sports. “I think we played a very balanced match, with some errors that cost us dearly, and we weren’t able to capitalize on the opponent’s mistakes.”
Donadel stressed the importance of finishing opportunities, stating, “We need to convert the chances we have. This is something we suffered with a bit last season. I think we need to be better in the final 30 meters and continue to play with the same intensity.”
Marco Donadel à l’entrainement
Photo : Radio-Canada / Jean-François Vachon
Navigating a Deep Roster
With a larger-than-average roster of 24 players, Donadel faces the challenge of finding the right combination and providing opportunities for everyone. The recent removal of the “interim” tag from his title signifies a degree of stability, but the team is still in a period of adaptation. “I don’t think we’ve found the ideal way because we have 24 players,” Donadel explained. “So, if this week, Olger Escobar does incredible things, I have to respect that, I have to find him a place.”
He contrasted Montréal’s situation with other teams in the league, noting that many have a robust U23 system to develop young talent. “Unlike many other teams, we don’t have a U23 team. Many teams in this league have 15 or 16 excellent players and eight very good young players. […] Every week, it’s a good job, but it’s difficult to decide on the best lineup,” he said.
Upcoming Match Against Cincinnati
The CF Montréal will face a team in a similar position when they accept on FC Cincinnati. Both teams currently hold the same record, but Cincinnati enters the match with a disadvantage, having played a game just days prior in the CONCACAF Champions Cup against Tigres UANL. Cincinnati will be playing their fourth match in 11 days when they face Montréal on Sunday.
Despite Cincinnati’s demanding schedule, Donadel anticipates a tough contest. “They have very strong attackers, they play with three defenders, with two very offensive wings. We know Cincinnati, the individual qualities of the players, but we can’t know their starting eleven now, so we have to be prepared to assess the small differences. [Whether it’s] Evander or another more defensive player in midfield, we have to adapt,” he noted.
Injury Concerns Ahead of Sunday’s Game
The team is also dealing with injury concerns heading into the match against Cincinnati. Both Prince Owusu, a forward, and Wikelman Carmona, a midfielder, prematurely ended Thursday’s training session with ice packs on their ankles. Donadel described both injuries as similar sprains and indicated that the team will evaluate their condition before Sunday’s game. He doesn’t expect to have Owusu available for the match.
“He’s been with us for all the training sessions. We have to rest him sometimes. […] We use training sessions like today [Thursday], playing on the big field, to get in shape. Prince is a player who has played a lot [since the start of the season], so he doesn’t need that,” Donadel added.
Following the game against Cincinnati, CF Montréal will conclude its early-season road trip with a match against the New England Revolution on April 4th, before returning home to face the Philadelphia Union a week later.
The team’s early-season struggles highlight the challenges of building a cohesive unit with a large roster. Donadel’s focus on finding the right balance and maximizing the potential of his players will be crucial as the season progresses. The next test comes Sunday against Cincinnati, a team facing its own scheduling hurdles, offering a potential opportunity for Montréal to secure a vital three points.
What are your thoughts on CF Montréal’s start to the season? Share your opinions and predictions in the comments below.
