CF Montreal have endured a difficult start to their 2025 MLS season, still searching for their first win after seven games. The club has yet to secure a victory, with two draws, leaving them at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings with just two points. Their struggles have been exacerbated by the fact that all seven of their matches so far have been played away from home, and they are already 13 points behind conference leaders Columbus Crew.
A major factor behind Montreal’s poor form has been their loss of key players, particularly Victor Wanyama. Wanyama, who left the club last November after a decline in playing time, was an integral part of Montreal’s midfield during his tenure. His departure, along with that of other experienced players like striker Josef Martinez and midfielder Mathieu Choiniere, has left a noticeable void in the squad. The team has struggled to adapt to these changes, with new signings taking longer to integrate than expected.
The club’s coaching change, from Hernan Losada to Laurent Courtois, has not yet yielded the desired results, and Montreal’s inability to impose themselves on the field has carried over from the previous season when they missed out on the MLS playoffs. The hope is that their fortunes will improve once they return home to play Charlotte FC. However, even though they are set to play in front of their home crowd, their upcoming opponents are in better form, sitting fourth in the standings and 11 points ahead of Montreal.
Despite these challenges, the club’s management remains hopeful that with time, the team will find its rhythm and begin to climb the standings. However, with the early season already slipping away, the pressure will continue to mount on both the players and coaching staff.
While Montreal continues to struggle, the same cannot be said for Inter Miami, where Lionel Messi is continuing to break records and impress. In his 29th MLS regular-season appearance, Messi scored a brilliant left-footed half-volley to equalize in Miami’s 1-1 draw with Toronto FC. This goal marked Messi’s first against Toronto, but more importantly, it saw him surpass Gonzalo Higuain’s club record for goal contributions. Messi now has 44 goal contributions for Inter Miami, cementing his place as the club’s all-time leader in this category.
Messi has been in excellent form since joining MLS, scoring three goals and providing two assists in his four matches so far. His performances have been a bright spot for Inter Miami, who have been far more successful than CF Montreal at the start of the season. With Messi leading the way, Inter Miami looks poised to make a strong push for the playoffs, while Montreal will need to find answers quickly if they are to salvage their season.
In conclusion, CF Montreal’s tough start to the 2025 season highlights the challenges that come with major squad changes and the departure of key players like Wanyama. Despite the optimism that they can turn things around once they return home, the team’s struggles on the road have left them with a steep hill to climb. On the other hand, Messi’s continued brilliance with Inter Miami serves as a reminder of the impact a superstar can have, and it contrasts sharply with Montreal’s difficult season so far.
