Philadelphia Union confirmed Nathan Harriel has extended his contract with the club until the end of the 2028-29 season ahead of their trip to CF Montreal.

The 24-year-old signed for the Union as a homegrown player ahead of the 2021 campaign, and his impressive performances have led to a new deal, which also has an option for an extra year.

Harriel played a key role last season as Philadelphia won the Supporters Shield; he recorded the most interceptions among MLS defenders (65) and won the fifth-most duels (170) while playing just 28 games.

And so far in the 2026 campaign, Harriel leads the way among defenders in MLS for interceptions (19), duels won (54) and aerial duels won (26).

The Union have lost all six of their MLS games so far this term before facing Montreal, but Philadelphia will be hoping that Harriel's new contract could provide them with a timely boost.

"Nate has established himself as an essential piece of our backline over the past five years," said Jon Scheer, Philadelphia Union's Interim Sporting Director.

"His versatility, competitiveness, and dedication have been vital to the team’s success, and his emergence as a leader both on and off the field has been significant.

"We look forward to his continued impact and the important role he will play in the years ahead."

Montreal have not fared much better in 2026, winning just one of their opening six games to start the season.

They were thrashed 3-0 last time out by New England Revolution, leaving the Canadian outfit just two places above bottom side Philadelphia.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

CF Montreal – Daniel Rios

Daniel Rios has scored five career regular-season goals against Philadelphia, three more than he’s scored against any other opponent.

Four of those goals came in one match in September 2022 while he was playing with Charlotte FC.

Philadelphia Union – Cavan Sullivan

Cavan Sullivan recorded his first career regular-season assist on Saturday.

At 16 years, 188 days old, Sullivan is the fourth-youngest player in MLS history to record an assist in a regular-season match.

MATCH PREDICTION – PHILADELPHIA UNION WIN

Philadelphia are the third team in MLS history to suffer six straight outright defeats (excluding breakaway shootout losses) to begin an MLS season after the Revolution in 2001 and Toronto FC in 2012.

Only Toronto (nine straight) in 2012 lost their first seven games of a season.

However, Montreal have lost five of their first six matches of a season for the second time in club history, also doing so in 2023 (W1 L5). The 3-0 defeat to New England marked the third time Montreal has lost by a margin of three or more goals already this season.

Philadelphia recorded a 2-1 win at Montreal in their last visit in May 2025. The Union have played 15 all-time matches at Montreal but have never won consecutive visits.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

CF Montreal – 30.4%

Draw – 25.0%

Philadelphia Union – 44.6%