By Kelvin Loyola
Hope remains for both CF Montreal and Puebla in their final Phase One game of Leagues Cup 2025. Each team will need a win and lots of help from the other results to advance.
HEAD TO HEAD
- 1st meeting all-time
- Record at Leagues Cup: Montreal (3-4), Puebla (2-4)
LAST FIVE GAMES
- CF Montreal
- 2 Wins, 0 Draws, 3 Losses
- CF Montreal enters this match with a 4-4-4 record against Liga MX sides, hoping for a very important tiebreaker.
- Won their first match in penalties vs León, but lost second game (2-1 vs Toluca)
- Puebla
- 2 Wins, 0 Draws, 3 Losses
- If Puebla loses to CF Montreal, it will mark the third time they have failed to reach the next round of the Leagues Cup.
- Won their first match (3-0 vs NYCFC) but lost second (3-1 vs Columbus)
MAIN STORYLINES
- Both sides need a win to stay in the fight for qualification, and they also need a series of results to go their way in order to secure a berth in the knockout stages.
- CF Montreal needs to be tight in defense and make the most of their scoring opportunities. Marco Donadel’s side has not kept a clean sheet in their last five matches.
- Puebla will rely on goals from Uruguayan Emiliano Gómez, who scored against NYCFC in the opening game.
- CF Montreal has only scored two goals in the tournament so far—only the Houston Dynamo has scored fewer among MLS teams, with one.
KEY FACTORS
- CF Montréal
- CF Montreal will continue to look to Prince Owusu to score, as he has one goal in two games for the Canadian side.
- Caden Clark will need to step up for his club and start creating chances if CF Montreal is to have a chance to reach the next round.
- Puebla
- Owen González will also be key to Puebla’s attack, with one goal in two games.
- Luis Rey Mejía will be crucial in holding down and breaking up many of CF Montreal’s attacks.
WHAT TO EXPECT
In a game where losing means going home—and even winning might not be enough—expect both sides to throw the kitchen sink in an effort to score as many goals as possible.
CF Montreal will need to make the most of their chances, while Puebla, a side with the potential to score often, will look to strike early and frequently.
With everything on the line, this could be one of the most exciting games of the Leagues Cup League Stage.
