The decision hasn't come without its burdens for FC Cincinnati as it prepares to cross the Canadian border.
On Monday, four FC Cincinnati players traveled to New York City and missed the club's training session at the Mercy Health Training Center to secure work visas needed for the game, should it be played in Montreal.
Those players – Brenner Souza da Silva (Brazil), Alvaro Barreal (Argentina), Gustavo Vallecilla (Colombia) and Isaac Atanga (Ghana) – returned to FC Cincinnati's Milford training center for Tuesday's session.
It is believed the visa process was successful for the players.
If FC Cincinnati crosses into Canada to play the game, the club would also be without the services of players and staff that haven't been fully vaccinated for COVID-19.
The wait for confirmation of a venue for a scheduled road match against a Canadian club isn't new for FC Cincinnati, which on June 26 defeated Toronto FC after the location of the match wasn't publicly confirmed until about a week beforehand.
The game was played at Exploria Stadium in Orlando, where Toronto was practicing and playing its scheduled home matches, just as Montreal was in Fort Lauderdale.
When Cincinnati last played Montreal, FC Cincinnati faced and defeated the club May 22 at DRV PNK Stadium .
When the Toronto game kicked off, it was essentially played behind closed doors in Orlando. The May 22 game in Fort Lauderdale was also played behind closed doors.
Montreal and Canada will be permitted to host spectators in accordance with locals rules for the matches.
Gold Cup: Matarrita helps in Costa Rica win The Concacaf Gold Cup, the competition to crown a national-team champion for this FIFA region of the world, is well underway with group-stage play.
Those hoping to see FC Cincinnati's two Costa Rican internationals return to the club might be in for a longer wait.
Costa Rica on Monday opened play in Group "C" with a 3-1 victory against Guadeloupe at Exploria Stadium in Orlando.
FC Cincinnati right back Ronald Matarrita, who missed an international call-up for Concacaf Nations League play due to a calf injury, started and went the full 90 minutes in Costa Rica's victory.
Matarrita, FC Cincinnati's assists leaders who has missed the last two MLS games while away with Costa Rica, had an 84-percent passing accuracy in the contest.
Meanwhile, FCC's Allan Cruz didn't play in the contest, although he's likely to feature for Costa Rica eventually after playing in pivotal Nations League matches last month.
Costa Rica's remaining Group stage matches occur Friday against Suriname and July 20 against Jamaica, so the earliest the players could return to FC Cincinnati is more than a week away.
Costa Rica should advance to the knockout round of the competition, too. A victory against Suriname in Friday's scheduled 9 p.m. match would likely seal their progression to the next phase of the Gold Cup.
Should Jamaica defeats Guadeloupe on Friday (6:30 p.m.), the Costa Rica-Jamaica Group C finale on July 20 (7 p.m.) would likely be to determine first and second place in the group, with both teams already having secured the top two spots.
'FCC3' walk, run features post-race TQL Stadium watch party On Saturday, FC Cincinnati will stage the "FCC3," a three-mile walk and run that will take participants on a course through Downtown and the West End.
The race kicks off at 6 p.m. and features a post-race watch party at TQL Stadium for the scheduled 7:30 p.m. game between FC Cincinnati and CF Montreal.
The TQL Watch Party tickets are free but must be reserved at fccrace.com/after-party.
Food and beverage will be available for purchase inside TQL Stadium during the match, which will be shown on video screens above The Bailey supporters section.
Other activities including a photo booth and an appearance from FC Cincinnati mascot, Gary the lion, are scheduled.
Registration for the FCC3 race is open at fccrace.com. All participants will receive a shirt and medal as well as access into the TQL Watch Party at TQL Stadium to watch the game. Details on the events and the course map are available on the race website.
The walk and race course will take participants past the following buildings and districts: Sam Adams Brewery. West End Pride home field. West End Business District, Lincoln Recreational Center Mini-Pitch, Cincinnati City Hall, Betts-Longworth Historic District ,Historic Chestnut Cemetery, Stargel Stadium
