CF Montreal head coach Philippe Eullaffroy plans to use their remaining MLS regular season games to give more minutes to younger players.

Montreal are bottom of the Eastern Conference and unable to reach the postseason with just three games to play.

Eullaffroy has already displayed his intention to give his younger players a chance in their 2-0 defeat to Supporters' Shield winners Nashville SC.

Seventeen-year-old Samsy Keita started in goal, while there were also outings for Olger Escobar and Hennadii Synchuk (both 20).

Montreal face Charlotte on Wednesday, and Keita could be in line for another start at Bank of America Stadium.

"We have to optimise the last three games that we have left of the regular season to develop [younger players]," said Eullaffroy.

"To improve the performance that they will be able to give us in the near future. And when I say near future, I mean already projecting ourselves into next season.

"So, Samsy is one of the players in the squad with the greatest potential. He got his first minutes at 17 years old, which not many goalkeepers get to experience at this level.

"We sensed he was ready for a while now; we threw him in at the deep end and he didn’t disappoint.

"He justified starting against the MLS Supporters' Shield champions. He was calm, safe."

De retour sur la route pour nos deux derniers matchs à l'extérieur cette saison. Premier arrêt à Charlotte, ce mercredi. Back on the road for our last two away matches of the season. First stop, Charlotte, this Wednesday. #CFMTL @ChevroletCanada https://t.co/7jMnA0d2iq

— CF Montréal (@cfmontreal) October 26, 2026

Charlotte have already qualified for the playoffs, but they missed the chance to close the gap to Inter Miami and the New England Revolution further up the East after a loss to the Portland Timbers last time out.

Dean Smith's side lost 3-2 in Portland after conceding a 96th-minute winner on the road.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Charlotte FC – Idan Toklomati

Toklomati scored the second of Charlotte's two goals against Portland on Saturday, his fourth straight regular-season match with a goal.

Toklomati is the first player in Charlotte's MLS history to score in four straight regular-season matches.

CF Montreal – Samsy Keita

The two goals Montreal conceded in their loss to Nashville took them to 62 goals allowed this season, the second most in a single season in club history (64 in 2024).

However, teenager Keita impressed on his debut, saving three of the five shots on target he faced.

MATCH PREDICTION: CHARLOTTE FC WIN

Charlotte have collected 68 points at home since the start of last season (W21 D5 L6), second-most in MLS behind only Nashville (79) in that time. Charlotte's 21 home wins over the last two seasons are also second only to Nashville (25).

Montreal, meanwhile, have won two of their last 20 regular-season matches (D7 L11) dating back to mid-May. Their 13 points over that time are the fewest in MLS.

Charlotte have won three of their last four meetings with Montreal (L1), including recording a 2–1 road win on September 9.

Montreal had gone unbeaten in the first five meetings between the sides (W4 D1) prior to Charlotte winning three of the last four.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Charlotte FC – 61.4%

Draw – 20.3%

CF Montreal – 18.3%