CF Montreal head coach Marco Donadel praised his side's attacking play following a superb display in front of goal in their 3-2 victory over Austin FC. 

Donadel watched on as strikes from Hennadii Synchuk, Dante Sealy, and Prince Owusu helped Montreal clinch three important points to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. 

But for all of their promising play in the final third, Montreal shipped two goals either side of half-time as Austin threatened to stage a late comeback at Stade Saputo. 

Donadel, however, was keen to focus on the positives, saying: "It gives the sensation that he already knew everything [that was going to happen]. 

"During training, he's [Synchuk] doing things like that. That goal was amazing for the confidence that he shows.

"This is not Next Gen, this is MLS, so a player has to be full of talent, but at the same time, we need to keep the intensity and the focus up for 90 minutes.

"In one or two years, these players are going to do very well, I think."

The Montreal boss also lauded the connection between Sealy and Bugaj that led to the second goal.

"It was for sure the best goal of the season for us, but also one of the best goals I've ever seen," he added. "Pace, rhythm, perfect pass, relationship, there was everything.

"Every game we play minutes, they live situations, and then we can solve them with clips. It takes a bit of time, but we were good to find this kind of relationship."

Despite their strong showing against Austin, Montreal find themselves 13th in the Eastern Conference, a point fewer than Saturday's opponents Toronto FC. 

Robin Fraser's side played out an uneventful goalless draw with fellow strugglers Atlanta United last time out, extending their winless league streak to five matches. 

"Overall, I'm disappointed not to get the win," Fraser said in his post-match interview. "But again, I feel every week we see progress with this team.

"And that is certainly part of the mission here – to make sure that we continue to get better and better."

With playoff hopes all but over for both sides, this summer's Canadian Classique could well be played with one eye already on next season.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Toronto FC – Sean Johnson

Sean Johnson recorded his seventh clean sheet of the season in Toronto's goalless draw with Atlanta.

Only Alex Bono (10 in 2017) and Stefan Frei (eight in 2010) have recorded more shutouts in a single regular season for Toronto. 

CF Montreal – Dante Sealy

With a superbly-taken goal against Austin, Sealy has now scored three goals over his last four MLS matches.

Prior to his current run, Sealy had just four career league goals in 58 MLS appearances, and he will be keen to continue his fine run of form this weekend. 

MATCH PREDICTION: TORONTO WIN

Toronto come into Saturday's affair as strong favourites, having won three straight regular-season matches against Montreal.

They have scored 12 goals during that span, including a 5-1 win in May 2024 and a 6-1 win this season – marking the most goals by Toronto in a span of three MLS games against an opponent in club history.

Despite not ticking over the win column much, Fraser's side are unbeaten in their last four home games (W1 D3) after earning results in just three of their previous 13 home regular-season matches (W1 D2 L10).

Montreal, meanwhile, won their fifth MLS match of the season on Saturday against Austin. Prior to that win, they had not won any of their previous 23 matches in all competitions when shipping multiple goals (D5 L18).

MATCH PREDICTION

Toronto FC – 45.9%

Draw – 26.7%

CF Montreal – 27.4%