New York City FC has lost only two of its 14 all-time MLS matches against CF Montréal (W8 D4), including going unbeaten in the last six at home (W3 D3). NYCFC’s 2.0 points per match against Montreal is its best against any team its played more than six times in MLS.
For the fifth time in the last six seasons, the reigning MLS champion has started winless in its first two games of the season. Atlanta United (D2 L1) in 2019 is the only defending champion since 2010 to open a title defense without a win in the first three matches of a season.
CF Montréal has opened a season with consecutive losses for the first time since 2018. The only time Montreal has lost its first three matches of a season was in 2014 when it finished with a league-low 28 points.
New York City FC returns home after opening the season in Los Angeles and Vancouver. NYCFC has lost only one of its last 14 home matches (W10 D3, including playoffs) dating back to late June, allowing just seven goals in those games.
CF Montréal has faced only 16 total shots in its first two matches of the season, only the Crew and Galaxy (14 each) have faced fewer. Four of those 16 shots have found the back of the net, however, with Montreal’s opponent conversion rate of 25.0% highest in MLS.
