Orlando City will begin their Major League Soccer (MLS) campaign with a clash against Montreal at the Exploria Stadium on Saturday. These two teams will kick off their regular seasons against each other for the second time in three years.
Last season, the Lions were eliminated from the Eastern Conference semi-finals, suffering a 2-0 defeat in extra time against the Columbus Crew, the same team that dashed Montreal's playoff hopes with a 2-1 victory.
Following a near miss in the playoffs for the second time in three years, Montreal has opted for a new coach, Laurent Courtois, who coached the Columbus Crew 2 side last season.
Here, GOAL brings you everything you need to know about how to watch, including TV channel, streaming details and more.
Orlando City vs CF Montreal kick-off time
| Date: | February 24, 2024 |
| Kick-off time: | 7.30 pm ET |
| Venue: | Exploria Stadium |
The match will be played at the Exploria Stadium on Saturday, with kick-off at 7.30 pm ET for fans in the US.
How to watch Orlando City vs CF Montreal online - TV channels & live streams
 | Apple TV | Watch here |
The match will be shown live on Apple TV in the US. Match highlights will be available on the platform and YouTube channels of the clubs and the league after the game. Live updates can be found here on GOAL.
How to watch anywhere with VPN
If you are abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as NordVPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming. If you are unsure which VPN to use, check out GOAL's guide to the best VPNs for streaming sports.
Team news & squads
Orlando City team news
Favian Loyola may sit out for Orlando City due to recent left arm surgery, while Jack Lynn's participation is uncertain owing to a left thigh injury. Rodrigo Schlegel will be absent from this game due to a suspension.
To bolster their squad, the club enlisted David Brekalo, secured the services of two-time MLS Cup champion Nicolas Lodeiro from the Seattle Sounders, and also acquired Luis Muriel, a Designated Player (DP) from Serie A side Atalanta.
Orlando predicted XI: Gallese; Thorhallsson, Brekalo, Jansson, Santos; Araujo, Cartagena; Torres, Ojeda, Lodeiro; McGuire
| Position | Players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers: | P. Gallese, J. Otero Leon, M. Stajduhar |
| Defenders: | A. Freeman, M. Halliday, R. Jansson, R. Santos, K. Smith, T. Reid-Brown, T. Williams, Brekalo |
| Midfielders: | I. Angulo, C. Araújo, W. Cartagena, N. Lodeiro, S. Mohammed, M. Ojeda, L. Petrasso, D. Thorhallsson, F. Torres |
| Forwards: | R. Enrique, G. Gonzalez, Jack Lynn, D. McGuire, Muriel |
CF Montreal team news
Lassi Lappalainen and Robert Thorkelsson are doubtful for Montreal in the season opener due to groin injuries.
Their headline signing during the offseason was Josef Martinez, the 2018 MLS Golden Boot winner, who has arrived from Inter Miami.
Montreal predicted XI: Sirois; Campbell, Waterman, Corbo; Ruan, Piette, Choiniere, Edwards; Yankov; Opoku, Martinez
| Position | Players |
|---|---|
| Goalkeepers: | S. Breza, L. Ketterer, J. Sirois |
| Defenders: | G. Campbell, M. Choinière, G. Corbo, R. Edwards, Ruan, J. Sosa, R. Thorkelsson, J. Waterman, F. Álvarez |
| Midfielders: | B. Duke, I. Iliadis, O. Jabang, L. Lappalainen, S. Piette, N. Saliba, V. Wanyama, R. Zouhir |
| Forwards: | S. Ibrahim, A. Lassiter, C. Offor, K. Opoku, M. Toye, J. Vilsaint |
Head-to-Head Record
| Date | Match | Competition |
|---|---|---|
| 01/10/23 | Orlando City 3 - 0 Montréal | MLS |
| 07/05/23 | Montréal 2 - 0 Orlando City | MLS |
| 17/10/22 | Montréal 2 - 0 Orlando City | MLS |
| 08/05/22 | Montréal 4 - 1 Orlando City | MLS |
| 27/02/22 | Orlando City 2 - 0 Montréal | MLS |