CF Montreal forward Prince Owusu was glad to see "hunger and desire" from his team-mates during their 1-1 draw against Atlanta United last time out.

With captain Samuel Piette sidelined through injury, Owusu wore the armband for Montreal and assisted the opening goal of the game.

Montreal face D.C. United in their next MLS game. Montreal's draw last time out took them above D.C. into 14th in the Eastern Conference, but they are both on 19 points at the bottom of the table.

Despite dropping two points against Atlanta, Owusu was optimistic due to Montreal's performance.

"I was ready and very proud to wear the captain's armband of this club,” said Owusu after the Atlanta game.

"It was an honour for me and I really enjoyed it. The team wasn't happy with one point. We wanted to win this game, and this is what I want to see: the hunger and the desire to win.

"In the dressing room, I told the guys that it was sad how it happened, but we played another 90 minutes, we had a very good fight and had chances.

"The first half was good, and not everything is bad. We need to learn from it, keep going and do better next time."

Head coach Marco Donadel added: "I think we played a very solid game. We had some good chances in the first half. We played solid defensively, but we lacked the energy to go for that second goal.

"It's frustrating. Individually, Atlanta is a very good team, and we respected them, but it was difficult."

D.C. have had a torrid time of late, losing each of their last six games in all competitions and failing to win any of their last 10.

They are now propping up the East, and are 17 points off the Chicago Fire in the final playoff place.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

CF Montreal – Prince Owusu

Owusu is Montreal's leading scorer with 11 goals, three of which have been the tone-setting first of the match.

The 28-year-old has either scored or assisted in 10 of his last 13 games in all competitions.

D.C. United – Christian Benteke

Christian Benteke has been the most prolific player for D.C., netting on eight occasions, including two match-opening goals.

Since his return from injury, Benteke has scored in two of his five starts for the side.

MATCH PREDICTION – CF MONTREAL WIN

Montreal have recorded six of their 10 wins in the all-time series against D.C. at home. They also won the last home matchup in 2024, but have not won consecutive home matches against D.C. since doing so in 2012 and 2013.

Montreal have earned points in consecutive league matches for the second time this season with a win over the New England Revolution and a draw with Atlanta. They are the only team in MLS not to record at least a three-game unbeaten streak in league play this season.

D.C. are riding a five-game losing streak in MLS play dating back to July 12. That is tied for the longest losing streak this season in MLS and the third-longest in a single season in club history.

In their last six league matches, Montreal have won one, drawn two and lost three. DC United, meanwhile, have drawn one and lost five in their last six.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

CF Montreal – 50%

Draw – 25.3%

D.C. United – 24.8%