CF Montreal's Coaching Carousel Continues as Sister Club Bologna Thrives
In a stark contrast of fortunes, CF Montreal's ongoing struggles in Major League Soccer have been laid bare with the dismissal of head coach Marco Donadel, while their sister club, Bologna FC in Italy's Serie A, enjoys a period of remarkable success. This weekend's MLS action underscored the widening gap between the two entities under the ownership of Joey Saputo.
A Snowflake Storm That Never Materialised
CF Montreal's rebranding in 2021 from the Montreal Impact was met with significant fan backlash, with supporters groups criticising the move as a dilution of the club's identity. The new logo, described as a minimalist blend of a snowflake and a sphincter, was defended by co-designer Justin Kingsley, who urged critics to underestimate the team at their peril. However, this defiance has rung hollow as the club has faltered on the pitch.
On Saturday, Montreal suffered a 2-1 defeat to the Philadelphia Union, a team that had not secured a victory this season prior to the match. This loss marked Montreal's fifth defeat in their opening six games, including heavy losses of 5-0 and two 3-0 humiliations. The club's decision to withhold Donadel and other staff from media interactions only heightened concerns, leading to his dismissal on Sunday along with several assistants.
Donadel's tenure was underwhelming from the start, with a points-per-game rate of 0.97 during his interim period, the worst among Montreal's 11 coaches since their 2012 MLS debut. This rate dropped to 0.88 by the time of his departure. Historically, no Montreal coach has lasted 95 games, with only Mauro Biello completing two full calendar years. Wilfried Nancy, their most successful appointment, managed 1.4 points per game, yet even this would not have secured a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference last season.
Systemic Issues and Neglect
Montreal's challenges run deeper than coaching instability. The club has reached the playoffs only four times in 13 seasons, with two additional play-in round appearances. They have never announced a record signing, with Transfermarkt estimating no acquisition exceeding $4 million. In 2025, their payroll of $12 million was the lowest in MLS, and their academy has produced just three homegrown players with limited minutes.
Meanwhile, owner Joey Saputo's investment in Bologna FC has yielded significant returns. Since becoming majority shareholder in 2014, Bologna has competed in the Champions League and won the Coppa Italia last season. Saputo's sons, Luca and Simone, oversee Montreal's sporting operations, while another son, Jesse, was transferred from Montreal's academy to Bologna's in 2023. Despite these family ties, Montreal has not benefited from the association, remaining a neglected entity in a market still recovering from the loss of the Montreal Expos baseball team.
MLS Weekend Highlights: Timbers and Quakes Shine
Elsewhere in MLS, the Portland Timbers capitalised on a rotated Los Angeles FC lineup to secure a 2-1 victory, ending LAFC's streak of not conceding a goal this season. Portland's win, sealed by a late goal from Kevin Kelsy, provided relief for coach Phil Neville after a winless start. LAFC's rotation included resting key players like Son Heung-min and Hugo Lloris, with young goalkeeper Cabral Carter impressing in his debut.
In San Jose, Bruce Arena continued his second-season magic, guiding the Earthquakes to a 3-1 win over Kansas City. Arena's team, built on a domestic core with foreign standouts, boasts 18 points and the fewest goals conceded in the league. Players like Niko Tsakiris and Beau Leroux have been instrumental, with the win showcasing goals from domestic veterans Jack Skahan and Dave Romney.
Odds and Ends from the League
Inter Miami remains winless at their new stadium after a 2-2 draw with Red Bull New York, while Colorado Rapids dominated Houston 6-2 in a high-scoring affair. As MLS teams enter the US Open Cup this week, partial participation continues post-pandemic, with defending champion Nashville SC absent due to Concacaf Champions Cup commitments.
CF Montreal's plight serves as a cautionary tale in MLS, where investment and stability are crucial for success. As Bologna thrives abroad, Montreal fans are left wondering when their storm will finally arrive.
