Qualifying for the playoffs isn't an impressive accomplishment in MLS given the sheer number of teams that check that box every year. Still, because CF Montreal had exactly zero contributing Designated Players in 2024, first-year manager Laurent Courtois and his cast of role players deserve a little love for helping Montreal be one of those playoff teams in 2024.

Still, it's hard not to see Montreal as fodder for Inter Miami in the East, should they advance past Atlanta United in their Wildcard game on Tuesday. They allowed more goals than all but four teams in the regular season, have the worst goal difference of all playoff teams, and have the worst expected goal differential of all playoff teams, according to FBref's data. Five wins in their last seven games pushed Montreal above the line, but a gappy defense and a stop-start attack does not a contender make.