Crew SC returns to MLS regular-season action against CF Montreal at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

The Crew (0-0-1, 1 pt.) head down to south to take on CF Montreal (1-0-1, 4 pts.) at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., as the Canadian club continues to play its “home” matches from the Sunshine State.

Montreal has won three of its last four matches against Columbus, including a 2-1 victory at Historic Crew Stadium against the eventual MLS Cup Champions last October. The Crew had gone unbeaten in five straight against Montreal (W3 D2) prior to this run.

 Montreal opened its season with a win and a draw for the second straight year. Montreal has gone unbeaten through three matches of a season just once in its history, winning its first four games to begin the 2013 campaign.

Montreal’s Mason Toye has scored in each of their first two matches this season. This is the third straight season that a Montreal player has scored in the team’s first two matches of a season after Maximiliano Urruti in 2020 and Saphir Taider before him in 2019. 

Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET on Bally Sports Ohio and 97.1 FM The Fan.

Injury update

Centre-back Luis Binks continues to be sidelined with an injury, although there has been some progression for Lassi Lappalainen and Ballou Tabla. Both players can be available for today’s game.

“Lassi has been back with the group for about two weeks now,” said Nancy. “He’s been feeling good physically, but he had a little trouble keeping up with the collective rhythm. He’s starting to find his rhythm and is showing a lot of interesting things in training. He’ll be ready soon, but his availability isn’t clear yet for this weekend. Ballou is also coming back from injury. He’s gradually getting better and closer to his usual form.”

COURTESY COLUMBUS CREW SC & CF MONTREAL COMMUNICATIONS