The Chicago Fire look to continue their strong play at home Wednesday when they host a CF Montreal squad that has struggled mightily on the road.
The Fire (6-7-8, 26 points) pulled even in points with CF Montreal (8-11-2, 26 points) and three other teams following a 1-0 victory over Nashville SC on Saturday that kicked off a three-match homestand.
Fabian Herbers scored his third goal in his last four matches to boost his season goal total to four, equaling his career-best output in 2020.
“I think for him, it would be meaningless if we didn’t get the three points,” Chicago coach Frank Klopas said of Herbers, who resides one goal shy of Kei Kamara for the team lead.
“So, keep going, I tell him. I don’t know what he’s been eating. I don’t know if it’s German or Greek food, but we’ll see. But he’s been playing fantastic.”
Homegrown goalkeeper Chris Brady made two saves for the Fire, who improved to 3-1-6 at home this season.
CF Montreal have been singing a much different tune on the road. They fell to 1-8-2 away from home following a 1-0 setback to Atlanta United on Saturday.
“The one chance ended with a goal. I think we played a good first half. We controlled the game,” Montreal coach Hernan Losada said. “… Now we have to pick ourselves up and think about the game on Wednesday.”
CF Montreal have been shut out in each of their last three matches (0-2-1). Bryce Duke scored the team’s last goal in the 27th minute of 1-0 win over Nashville SC on June 21.
Duke has two goals on the season, one shy of Chinonso Offor and Romell Quioto for the team lead.
CF Montreal improved to 5-1-1 in their last seven matches against Chicago following a 3-2 victory last season. Kamara scored two goals in that match while playing for CF Montreal, and defender Zachary Brault-Guillard also tallied to offset a brace by Fire midfielder Xherdan Shaqiri.
–Field Level Media
