Preview: Nashville SC vs CF Montréal

Nothing makes you feel like MLS is truly back more than a midweek game against CF Montréal.

The Boys in Gold earned all three points in their return from the World Cup break, extending their league unbeaten run to nine. Meanwhile, L'Impact are still fighting for a playoff position after their nil-nil draw in the Canadian Classique.

Match info

Teams: Nashville SC vs CF Montréal
Referees: Marcos DeOliveira II (Ref), Gerard-Kader Lebuis (AR1), Oscar Mitchell-Carvalho (R2), Rosendo Mendoza (4th), Ekaterina (Katja) Koroleva (VAR), Craig Lowry (AVAR)
Odds: NSH (-240), Draw (+360), MTL (+550)
Date: Wednesday, July 22, 2026
Time: 7:30 pm CT, Geodis Park, Nashville, TN, United States
TV: Apple TV
Apple TV Commentary: Tony Husband, Ross Smith (English), Carlos Suarez (Spanish), Frederic Lord, Vincent Destouches (French)
Radio: 104.5 The Zone
Radio Commentary (104.5): Lucas Panzica
Forecast: 88º/68º. 83º at kickoff. Mostly sunny. 6 mph winds from the north. 0% chance of rain. 65% humidity.

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Head-to-head

Availability report

Availability Report: Nashville SC vs CF Montréal

Cristian Espinoza has been downgraded to out after missing Friday’s match

SixOneFive SoccerSixOneFive Soccer Staff

CF Montréal

The numbers

Montréal snapshot

It has been more of the same for the CF Montréal faithful. Former head coach Marco Donadel was relieved of his duties in mid-April after a 1W-1L-6D record, only eight matches into the 2026 season.

Since then, Philippe Eullaffroy has taken over on an interim basis, and things have been looking much better for the Impact. Eullaffroy has lost only two of 11 games in all competitions and has found ways to revive the team.

That said, Montréal are still amongst the lowest-ranked teams in the league, three points behind the playoff line. They returned from the World Cup break with a lackluster nil-nil home draw against Canadian rivals Toronto FC.

A big missing piece for the Impact during the Canadian Classique was their star player and Golden Boot contender, Prince Owusu. The striker was suspended due to yellow-card accumulation but should be available Wednesday night. Owusu is amongst the best finishers in the league and will undoubtedly give Montréal a boost.

New signing Dani Pereira made his debut against Toronto as a substitute. The Venezuelan is slated to play a major role as the team continues to evolve under Eullaffroy.

Injury will likely keep winger Wiki Carmona out of action Wednesday night. He has been a great addition to Montréal's attack in his debut season, adding eight goal contributions. Right back Bode Hidalgo, who assumed the starting role last season, continues to be out with an injury as well. Starting goalkeeper Thomas Gillier will also miss out with a concussion.

Predicted XI

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Nashville SC

The numbers

Nashville SC snapshot

Nashville SC continued where they left off before the World Cup break. The Boys in Gold won their fourth league match in a row against Atlanta United Friday night. Nashville continue to lead the Supporters' Shield standings and are unbeaten in nine.

Though the result was positive, the performance was nothing to write home about. The Boys in Gold struggled to get into any rhythm and generated only 0.61 xG throughout the match, an uncharacteristic showing from the league leaders.

Andy Nájar, Jeisson Palacios and Eddi Tagseth were surprisingly listed as questionable before the Atlanta match, but all three participated, with Tagseth starting.

Reed Baker-Whiting, Cristian Espinoza and Warren Madrigal will miss the match Wednesday night due to injuries they sustained during the break. In addition, midfielder Patrick Yazbek remains out due to the injury he sustained in El Volcán.

All-star striker Sam Surridge will be looking to get back into his goalscoring form after being sidelined due to injury. The Englishman has nine goals in 548 league minutes, and is four goals away from the top of the list.

New signing Elias Saad is awaiting his visa before he can debut for the Boys in Gold, but it's possbile that he'll see his first minutes Wednesday night.

Predicted XI

Staff predictions

Ben Wright

Score: NSH 2-1 MTL
Scorers: Hany Mukhtar, Sam Surridge
MOTM: Hany Mukhtar
Bold prediction: Elias Saad is on the bench and makes his Nashville debut (second time is a charm).

Christina Moore

Score: NSH 3-0 CFM
Scorers: Sam Surridge (x2), Defender
MOTM: Sam Surridge
Bold prediction: NSC will win the shot battle by more than double.

Colby Hitchcock

Score: NSH 2-0 CFM
Scorers: Sam Surridge (x2)
MOTM: Sam Surridge
Bold prediction: Nashville will have more possession than last match and create even more chances.

Jeff Remlinger

Score: NSH 4-0 CFM
Scorers: Sam Surridge (x3), Andy Najar
MOTM: Sam Surridge
Bold prediction: Nashville finally find their form again and win the xG battle by two or more.

Ronan Briscoe

Score: NSH 3-1 CFM
Scorers: Sam Surridge (x3)
MOTM: Sam Surridge
Bold prediction: Sam Surridge has four goals and one assist against Montréal in four appearances, and the good times keep rolling

Valair Shabilla

Score: NSH 2-0 CFM
Scorers: Hany Mukhtar, Sam Surridge
MOTM: Hany Mukhtar
Bold prediction: Nashville go two-nil up at half

Pre-match Media