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Columbus Crew vs CF Montreal preview: next match kick-off and key points

Columbus Crew player defending against CF Montreal
Major League Soccer

The next Columbus Crew match sees them host CF Montreal in the Major League Soccer regular season. This Eastern Conference clash is scheduled for 19 August 2026 with kick-off at 23:30 UTC at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field, Columbus. For fans wondering when Columbus Crew play next, this home date against Montreal offers a chance to climb the conference standings and build momentum in front of their own supporters.

This Columbus Crew vs CF Montreal preview comes with both teams in the lower half of the Eastern Conference, but with plenty still to play for. Columbus sit ahead of Montreal in the table and will look to use their stronger home record, while CF Montreal arrive needing points to close the gap and improve a difficult away campaign. With recent meetings often tight and competitive, this fixture shapes up as an important benchmark for both sides’ seasons.

Match details: date, kick-off & venue

  • Competition: Major League Soccer, Regular Season - 20
  • Date / Kick-off: 2026-08-19, 23:30 UTC
  • Venue: ScottsMiracle-Gro Field, Columbus
  • Status: Not Started (Fixture has not started yet)

Standings & form

Columbus Crew come into this match ranked 11th in the Eastern Conference on 20 points after 19 games. Their overall record stands at 5 wins, 5 draws and 9 defeats, with 27 goals scored and 31 conceded, giving a goal difference of -4. At home, Columbus have been notably stronger: across 9 home matches they have recorded 4 wins, 2 draws and 3 losses, scoring 12 and conceding 9. Their recent form line of LDWLW shows inconsistency but also hints at the ability to respond after setbacks.

CF Montreal sit 14th in the Eastern Conference with 17 points from their 19 fixtures. Their overall record is 4 wins, 5 draws and 10 defeats, with 25 goals for and 36 against, leaving a goal difference of -11. Away from home, Montreal have struggled: in 9 away games they have managed just 1 win, 1 draw and 7 losses, scoring 12 but conceding 25. Their current form string of DDLLD underlines a run where points have been hard to come by, particularly three results without a win heading into this trip.

From the season statistics, Columbus have kept 3 clean sheets (all at home) and failed to score in just 3 matches overall, while they have converted 3 of 4 penalties. CF Montreal have registered 4 clean sheets (3 at home, 1 away) but have failed to score in 7 games, highlighting some attacking inconsistency. Montreal are a perfect 6 from 6 on penalties, which could be significant if spot-kicks come into play.

Head-to-head

  • 2025-05-14: CF Montreal 1–1 Columbus Crew (Major League Soccer)
  • 2025-04-05: Columbus Crew 2–1 CF Montreal (Major League Soccer)
  • 2024-05-15: CF Montreal 1–3 Columbus Crew (Major League Soccer)
  • 2024-04-27: Columbus Crew 0–0 CF Montreal (Major League Soccer)
  • 2023-10-22: Columbus Crew 2–1 CF Montreal (Major League Soccer)
  • 2023-09-02: CF Montreal 2–4 Columbus Crew (Major League Soccer)
  • 2022-09-09: CF Montreal 2–2 Columbus Crew (Major League Soccer)
  • 2022-08-03: Columbus Crew 1–2 CF Montreal (Major League Soccer)
  • 2021-09-25: Columbus Crew 2–1 CF Montreal (Major League Soccer)
  • 2021-05-01: CF Montreal 0–0 Columbus Crew (Major League Soccer)

The head-to-head record between these sides in MLS has been competitive but tilts towards Columbus Crew, especially in recent seasons. Columbus have recorded several home wins by a single goal, including 2–1 victories in 2025 and 2023, while also winning 4–2 away in 2023 and 3–1 away in 2024. CF Montreal’s notable success in this list is a 2–1 away win in 2022, and there have been multiple draws, including 1–1 in 2025 and goalless stalemates in 2024 and 2021. Overall, the pattern suggests tight encounters, often decided by fine margins, with Columbus generally taking more of the points.

Team news & absences

Columbus Crew injuries / absences: W. Abou Ali (Knee Injury), S. Bangoura (Ankle Injury) and J. Thiare (Leg Injury) are all listed as Missing Fixture for this game.

CF Montreal injuries / absences: F. Amaya (Lower-Body Injury), W. Carmona (Knee Injury), B. Hidalgo (Groin Injury), E. Morales (Toe Injury) and A. Sanchez (Inactive) are also ruled out as Missing Fixture for this fixture.

Key players to watch

  • P. Owusu (CF Montreal) — 11 goals and 6 assists in MLS 2026 make him a standout attacking threat for the visitors and a crucial figure if Montreal are to improve their away form.

Prediction

The data-driven model for this Columbus Crew vs CF Montreal prediction leans towards the hosts avoiding defeat. The forecast gives 45% probability to a Columbus win, 45% to a draw and just 10% to a Montreal victory, with the advice clearly pointing to a “Double chance: Columbus Crew or draw”. That aligns with Columbus’ stronger home record and Montreal’s difficulties on the road, suggesting the Crew are better placed to take at least a point from this Eastern Conference showdown.

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