Our prediction for this MLS match:
Montreal and DC United face each other in a highly-anticipated MLS game at Saputo Stadium. Montreal quickly bounced back from back-to-back defeats to Atlanta United and Cincinnati, with the team beating Chicago Fire on the road thanks to Mason Toye’s goal. The Canadians aim to give fans yet another reason for celebration, but the game against DC United will be anything but a walk in the park for the home team.
Canada international Ballou Tabla remains on the sidelines with injury. The capital club, on the other hand, aim to build on back-to-back wins over Inter Miami. Considering that DC United have found their form of late, we predict that they are going to grab something from the midweek clash. A man to watch in the away team will be Norway international Ola Kamara, who has netted four goals so far this season.
Highlighted Player (Jukka Raitala):
Columbus Crew full back Jukka Raitala was born in Kerava, Finland on September 15, 1988. Raitala started his senior career at Klubi-04 and after making 22 league appearances for the club, he moved to HJK in 2007. After ending his spell with Helsinki, the Finland international signed a loan deal with TSG 1899 Hoffenheim.
During his spell with die Kraichgauer he appeared for the reserve team as well and in 2011 he was loaned again, this time out to Osasuna. On August 28, 2011 he made his Primera Division debut with los Rojillos playing as a left back against Atletico Madrid. Raitala played for the likes of Heerenveen, FC Vestsjaelland, Aalborg and Sogndal in the past as well he signed for Columbus Crew for the 2017 season.
The Columbus defender made his Finland debut on February 4, 2009 in a friendly against Japan. It has to be noted that he represented Finland at the UEFA European Under-21 Football Championship in 2009.
Highlighted Team (DC United):
D.C. United have been participating in the Eastern Conference of the MLS since 1996. The capital club play their home games at RFK Stadium Washington and they are nicknamed the Black and Red. D.C. United won their fourth MLS Cup in 2004 and in 1998 the club clinched the Copa Interamericana trophy by beating Vasco da Gama of Brazil in the title game.
The Black and Red won the Eastern Conference on five occasions (1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2004) and, as a result, they are regarded as one of the most successful clubs in the history of MLS.
Andy Najar, Eddie Pope, Jaime Moreno, John Harkes, Ryan Nelsen, Christian Gomez, Nick Rimando, Richie Williams, Clyde Simms, Tony Sanneh, Marco Etcheverry and Santino Quaranta are some of the club’s most famous players. Speaking of D.C. United fans, the club has four big supporters groups: La Norte, La Barra Brava, the Screaming Eagles and La Norte and the club’s mascot is Talon, the bald eagle.