Dean Smith is fully focused on ensuring Charlotte finishes inside the top four of the Eastern Conference, despite his side having already qualified for the playoffs.

The Crown fell short of a 10th consecutive league win – and what would have been an MLS record since the post-shootout era – after losing 2-0 to New York City last time out.

But Charlotte return to Bank of America Stadium this weekend to face Montreal, as they look to continue to improve their impressive home record.

Indeed, no team has produced more home wins than Charlotte's 12 in MLS this season, with the team currently occupying fourth place in the East.

Smith, however, was keen to look at the bigger picture for their 2025 campaign, saying: "My focus has been on the top four. Finishing in the top four will give us a better chance than last season in the playoffs.

"We've still got some work to do now to get there. We have to win games, we know that. We are playing against opposition now that probably don't have so much to play for, but there are new head coaches.

"They will be looking to show them what they are all about for the beginning of next season. We know what our job is and what we've got to do. We've got to be at the top of our game."

Montreal, meanwhile, have already seen their playoff hopes dashed, and will be looking to end a disappointing campaign on a high in their final three regular-season games.

They have lost their last two league fixtures to St. Louis City and the New York Red Bulls, though interim head coach Marco Donadel said the latter was not due to a lack of effort.

"It's clear that we gave our 100%," he said. "It's clear that we have quality. It's clear that we can build something.

"We gave everything on the field, we just need to be a bit more solid in some situations and to finish."

While Montreal's sights are set on 2026, Donadel is hoping the team can demonstrate growth as the 2025 season winds down.

"I promise that this is the right path to be ready to fight every game, to win the next season, and to win as many games as we can," he added.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Charlotte – Idan Toklomati

Toklomati has a goal contribution in each of Charlotte's last four home matches, and he will be keen to give the Crown's home supporters something to cheer about here.

The only longer streak in MLS play in franchise history is Pep Biel's five-game stretch to begin the 2025 regular season.

Montreal – Prince Owusu

Owusu has often relished away games this season, scoring eight of his 12 league goals for Montreal on the road in 2025.

It is the second-most road goals by a Montreal player in a single MLS regular season, behind only Ignacio Piatti's nine in 2016.

MATCH PREDICTION: CHARLOTTE WIN

Charlotte and Montreal have combined to score 13 goals across seven regular-season meetings, with at least one team being shut out in five of the seven encounters since their first in May 2022.

Charlotte are, however, unbeaten in their last eight home MLS matches (won seven, drawn one), including six straight wins. It is the longest home winning stretch in MLS this season.

Over the last three campaigns, the Crown are the only MLS team with multiple home winning streaks of six or more games in the regular season.

Montreal, though, have not been held scoreless on the road in MLS play since April, with a run of seven straight road regular-season games with a goal.

The franchise last enjoyed a longer scoring streak on the road in the regular season between March and June 2022 (eight games).

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Charlotte – 64.6%

Draw – 18.9%

Montreal – 16.4%