Our prediction for this MLS match:
Orlando City
Match Time & Date:
27/02/2022
19:00
Prediction: 1-2
Montreal CF
Orlando City will be aiming to build on a pre-season win (3-1) over Tampa Bay when they take on Montreal in the opening match of the season. The Lions failed to impress in the MLS playoffs last term, with the team losing to Nashville in the last 16, but they are now ready for new challenges. Both Grinwis and Hope-Gund should miss the game with injuries, while important attacker Daryl Dike is no longer part of the team.
Since Portugal veteran Nani joined Venezia in the January transfer window, home win should not be considered. The Canadian outfit, on the other hand, did well to win the Canada Championship final in November, with the team beating Toronto in the final thanks to Romell Quioto’s goal. Montreal have big ambitions for the new MLS campaign as well, and we predict that they will take advantage of the fact that key players left Orlando City. A man to watch in the away team will be former Tottenham midfielder Victor Wanyama.
Highlighted Player (Sebastián Méndez):
Born in Mira, Ecuador, on April 26, 1997, Sebastian Mendez plays for Major League Soccer club Orlando City as a midfielder. Mendez began his youth career at Independiente del Valle and he continued playing for the Ecuadorian side at senior level.
After scoring four goals in 81 appearances in the league for Independiente, the Ecuador international moved to Orlando City in 2019, but it has to be noted that he played for Cultural Leonesa on loan in the past as well. Mendez made his MLS debut against New York City on March 2, 2019 and he was replaced by Nani in the 70th minute.
As for his international career, the Orlando City midfielder played his first ever match for the Ecuador national team on September, 12, 2019 against Guatemala. The Ecuadorians won the game 2-0, with Mendez being replaced in 73rd minute of the match. His main position is defensive midfielder, but he is capable of playing as a central midfielder as well.
Highlighted Team (Montreal CF):
Club de Foot Montréal is a Canadian soccer team, but they compete in Major League Soccer. They are a member of the Eastern Conference and they have been participating in the major league since 2012. Montreal welcome their opponents at Saputo Stadium and the capacity of the club’s home ground is 20.801.
The construction of the stadium cost CA$17 million and the venue was opened on May 18, 2008. The Saputo family invested $7.5 million in the construction of the stadium and, as a result, the venue was named Saputo Stadium. Montreal CF did remarkably well to make it to the CONCACAF Champions League final in the 2014/2015 season, but Mexican team America proved to be a big catch for the Canadian outfit in the title game.
Speaking of the Canadian championship, the Impact won their third domestic trophy in 2014, with the team beating Toronto FC in the final of the tournament. Montreal Impact play their home matches in blue and black shirts and black shorts, while the colour of their away kit is white.
