Philadelphia Union vs Cf Montréal Picks and Predictions July 16th 2025

First vs. Worst: League-Leading Union Host CF Montreal in David vs. Goliath Matchup

On paper, it is the biggest mismatch of the Major League Soccer mid-week slate. It is a true “first versus worst” showdown in the Eastern Conference. The Philadelphia Union, sitting proudly atop the league standings with the best record in MLS, will host a CF Montreal side that is languishing at the bottom of the table, tied for the fewest points in the entire league. It is a classic David vs. Goliath matchup, a battle between a well-oiled championship contender and a rebuilding club just trying to find its footing. But in a league defined by its parity, where any team can beat any other on any given night, the Union know they cannot afford to take their opponent lightly. For Philadelphia, it’s about maintaining their dominant form and avoiding a classic trap game. For Montreal, it’s a free-swinging opportunity to pull off a season-defining upset.

The Philadelphia Juggernaut

The Philadelphia Union have been the model of consistency and excellence in MLS this season. Their 13-5-4 record and 43 points are the best in the league, and their success is built on a foundation of complete, two-way dominance. There are no glaring weaknesses in this team. Offensively, they are a force, having scored 34 goals, the fourth-most in the league. Their attack is dynamic, versatile, and capable of scoring in a variety of ways. Defensively, they are even better. The Union have been the stingiest team in all of MLS, having conceded a league-low 21 goals. This combination of a potent attack and a lockdown defense has given them a goal differential of +15, the second-best mark in the league.

Their most recent performance, a 2-0 home victory over the New York Red Bulls on Saturday, was a perfect example of them getting back to their best. The win snapped a rare two-game losing streak, and head coach Jim Curtin was pleased to see his team return to their core principles. “Really happy with the result,” Curtin said after the match. “I think it was a good bounce-back from the last couple of games, where we didn’t quite show our true selves. We wanted to be a little more expressive, a little more of who we are and what we are. I think you saw that in abundance. I’m really proud of the boys for their application and the way they went about their business.” A key part of that has been the emergence of homegrown midfielder Quinn Sullivan, whose team-leading eighth assist of the season came on the insurance goal against the Red Bulls.

The Stingiest Defense in MLS

While their offense gets a lot of credit, the true identity of this Philadelphia team is its defense. Their ability to shut down opposing attacks is what separates them from the other contenders in the league. Anchored by a veteran backline and the brilliant goalkeeping of Andre Blake (when he is not on international duty), the Union are incredibly difficult to break down. Their tactical system is disciplined and organized, capable of both pressing high up the pitch to force turnovers and dropping into a compact low block that denies opponents any space in their final third. This defensive solidity provides the foundation for everything they do. It allows their talented attacking players to take risks and play with freedom, knowing they have a world-class safety net behind them. This commitment to defense is a major reason why they have one of the best home records in the Eastern Conference at 7-1-3, having lost just once at Subaru Park all season.

Montreal’s Uphill Battle

CF Montreal enters this match as a massive underdog, but they are not a team without hope. While their overall record (3-13-6, 15 points) is abysmal, their recent form has been much more competitive. In their last five matches, Montreal is a respectable 2-2-1, proving they are capable of getting results. They have also been a surprisingly decent road team, with two of their three total wins this season coming away from home. This suggests they are a team that is comfortable sitting back, absorbing pressure, and looking to strike on the counter-attack—a style that could potentially frustrate a possession-based team like the Union.

The challenge for Montreal will be immense, but they are not simply showing up to be a sparring partner. They are playing with pride and looking to build on their recent positive performances. Pulling off an upset in Philadelphia would be a massive confidence booster for a young team trying to build for the future. The challenge of betting on a massive underdog that is showing signs of life is a key topic in our expert betting guide.

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The Prince of Montreal

If Montreal is to have any chance of pulling off the upset, it will likely come from the boots of their star striker, Prince Owusu. The German forward has been the lone bright spot in an otherwise bleak season for the Montreal attack. Of the team’s paltry 19 goals this season, Owusu has scored nine of them—nearly 50 percent of their total offensive output. He has been on a tear over the past month, scoring five goals in his last five regular-season matches. His confidence is at an all-time high.

“We’re creating more scoring chances lately, and I’m benefiting from that,” Owusu said. “I know my role, and I’m very confident.” The central matchup of this game will be Prince Owusu against the league’s best defense. It is a true test of a hot striker against an elite defensive unit.

The Betting Outlook and What to Expect

The scores and odds for this match will heavily favor the first-place home team. The Union are a juggernaut, especially on their own pitch, and they are facing a last-place team. However, the “trap game” potential is real. The Union are coming off a big emotional win, while Montreal has been playing competitive soccer for the past month. The key to the game will be whether Montreal’s lone attacking threat, Owusu, can find a way to break down Philadelphia’s staunch defense. To see who our experts are backing in this first-versus-worst showdown, check out our daily soccer picks.