CF Montreal striker Prince Owusu said his team were too desperate in their search for a first win of the season when facing FC Cincinnati last time out. 

Montreal were beaten 3-1 by Cincinnati in midweek, falling to their third defeat in their last four league games and leaving them bottom of the Eastern Conference. 

Cincinnati striker Evander scored in either half for Pat Noonan's team as Luca Orellano was also on target, with Owusu netting a late consolation for Montreal. 

Indeed, from their eight home games this season, Montreal have drawn three and lost five. In that time, they have also conceded 18 goals and scored just six. 

They have a chance to put that right this weekend against New York City FC, but Owusu warned his players to not fixate too much on their winless run on home soil. 

"We wanted to win our first game at home. We want it so much that we become stiff," said Owusu.

"I think we have to get the stiffness away, communicate more and be braver in the defence and the offence.

"We have to analyse this game, take the good parts and learn from the mistakes."

Montreal defender George Campbell added: "We needed to get a little tighter and more aggressive and not let them bring the ball down and play as much.

"But that's Cincinnati's qualities and that was on us to figure these out. I think we can't let our foot off the gas in training, or put our head down in training.

"We must push, focus more and learn how we can build off the mistakes we made and improve."

They face a stern test against NYCFC, though. They sit eighth in the Eastern Conference and thrashed Atlanta United 4-0 in their last league fixture. 

PLAYERS TO WATCH

CF Montreal – Prince Owusu

Owusu has been a key performer for Montreal this season. The striker is their leading scorer with seven goals, two of those having been the crucial first of the match.

The German forward has scored three in his last two, netting a brace in their 3-1 win over Houston Dynamo.

New York City FC – Hannes Wolf

Wolf is NYCFC's joint-top scorer alongside Alonso Martinez with eight goals.

Wolf scored twice and registered an assist in their 4-0 victory against Atlanta last time out, also scoring twice against Nashville prior to that and will be keen to continue that form. 

MATCH PREDICTION – NEW YORK CITY FC WIN

Hosts Montreal are winless in home MLS matches this season with three draws and five losses from their eight contests at home.

NYCFC have one win, four draws, and three losses on their travels this season in league matches. They currently find themselves on a three-match away unbeaten streak. They haven't been defeated in an MLS away game since April 19 against the New England Revolution.

In their last six league matches, Montreal have won one, drawn one and lost four. NYCFC, meanwhile, have won three, drawn two and lost one in their last six.

However, the previous MLS fixture between the sides saw Montreal win 1-0 at Yankee Stadium in May. Owusu scored the only goal for Montreal in the 48th minute.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

CF Montreal – 27.7%

Draw – 24.1%

New York City FC – 48.1%