Columbus Crew vs CF Montreal preview: match details and prediction

The next Columbus Crew match in the 2026 Major League Soccer season sees them host CF Montreal at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field in Columbus. The fixture is scheduled for 19 August 2026, with kick-off at 23:30 UTC, and is listed as Not Started. This Columbus Crew vs CF Montreal preview looks at how both Eastern Conference sides are shaping up ahead of this Regular Season - 20 clash.

When fans ask when Columbus Crew play next, the answer is this home date against a CF Montreal side trying to climb the same conference table. With just three points separating the teams in the Eastern Conference standings, this match could have a significant impact on their push to move up the conference in the second half of the campaign.

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 home game sitting 11th in the Eastern Conference on 20 points after 19 matches. 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 ScottsMiracle-Gro Field, they have been more solid: in 9 home matches they have recorded 4 wins, 2 draws and 3 losses, scoring 12 and conceding 9. Their recent league form string reads LDWLW, underlining an up-and-down run but with enough positive results to keep them in touch with the teams above.

CF Montreal travel to Ohio placed 14th in the Eastern Conference with 17 points from their own 19 games. Their record so far is 4 wins, 5 draws and 10 defeats, with 25 goals scored and 36 conceded, for a goal difference of -11. Away from home they have struggled: in 9 away fixtures they have managed just 1 win, 1 draw and 7 losses, scoring 12 and letting in 25. Their current form string of DDLLD shows they have found wins hard to come by, but have still been able to pick up the occasional point.

From a wider statistical perspective, Columbus Crew have kept 3 clean sheets this season, all of them at home, and have failed to score in only 3 of their 19 league matches. CF Montreal, by contrast, have registered 4 clean sheets (3 at home, 1 away) but have failed to score 7 times, highlighting some inconsistency in attack. Both sides also have a notable penalty record: Columbus have scored 3 of 4 penalties awarded (75.00%), while CF Montreal have converted all 6 of their spot kicks (100.00%).

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 in recent seasons has generally leaned towards Columbus Crew, especially in Ohio, where they have recorded several home wins including 2–1 victories in 2025 and 2023. CF Montreal have shown they can compete, with draws such as 1–1 in May 2025 and 2–2 in September 2022, and a notable 2–1 away win in August 2022. Overall, the series has produced a mix of tight games and high-scoring encounters, suggesting that this latest Columbus Crew vs CF Montreal meeting could again be finely balanced.

Team news & absences

Both sides have significant team news heading into this fixture, with multiple confirmed absences through injury and other reasons.

For Columbus Crew, three players are listed as missing for this match:

• W. Abou Ali – Missing Fixture (Knee Injury)
• S. Bangoura – Missing Fixture (Ankle Injury)
• J. Thiare – Missing Fixture (Leg Injury)

CF Montreal will also be without several squad members:

• F. Amaya – Missing Fixture (Lower-Body Injury)
• W. Carmona – Missing Fixture (Knee Injury)
• B. Hidalgo – Missing Fixture (Groin Injury)
• E. Morales – Missing Fixture (Toe Injury)
• A. Sanchez – Missing Fixture (Inactive)

Key players to watch

• P. Owusu (CF Montreal) — 11 goals and 6 assists in Major League Soccer 2026, making him a central attacking threat for the visitors.

Prediction

The data-driven Columbus Crew vs CF Montreal prediction model leans towards the hosts avoiding defeat. The prediction percentages give 45% home win, 45% draw and 10% away win, with the advised tip being a “Double chance: Columbus Crew or draw”. With Columbus stronger at home and CF Montreal’s away record and recent form looking fragile, the numbers suggest the home side are more likely to take something from this Eastern Conference encounter.