“Good times never seemed so good. So sang Neil Diamond on his famous ritornello sweet carolina. So also sang the players of CF Montreal in saving themselves with a 2-0 victory against Charlotte FC, in North Carolina.
Updated yesterday at 10:58 p.m.
“Honestly, I had listened to this song for a long time. Very good initiative from the guys. She is really very interesting. »
Without really knowing it, Wilfried Nancy was bored with this chorus. The opportunity was perfect to play the song in the locker room of his men, Saturday evening.
And they can thank Djordje Mihailovic, again him, and defender Alistair Johnston, scorers in the first and second half respectively, for leaving Bank of America Stadium with one of the biggest earworms of all. time in the head.
A song that reflects the recent successes of Bleu-et-noir.
Wilfried Nancy’s squad remained undefeated for an eighth straight game. It was also a third win in a row, and a sixth during that streak.
“We are very, very happy with what the guys did,” said the CF Montreal head coach after the game. “We played in a good atmosphere, on a synthetic pitch. It was a good temperature to play against a good team. »
That team is Charlotte FC. An expansion club that has had some success on the pitch in its first season, but above all some success in the stands. The North Carolina club is second in average attendance in 2022 in MLS, according to Transfermarkt, with 39,711.
The two clubs therefore met on Saturday evening. And as if they wanted to take the time to study themselves, the match started quietly. Until CF Montreal starts playing its game and dictating the pace. Like a third-place club on its way to taking first place in the East.
Mihailovic confirmed this rise in power at the 45andscoring his sixth goal this season.
You had to see the fabulous gesture of Joaquín Torres in the middle just before to hand over to Romell Quioto on the left. The latter made a fierce run, then crossed towards Djordje in the area. But CF Montreal could not celebrate: Quioto remained lying on the ground, injured in a shoulder, and gave way to Kei Kamara for the second half.
Charlotte obviously wanted to change the situation during this second period. North Carolinians projected much more forward. And forced Montreal goalkeeper Sebastian Breza to make some great saves, including a successful outing at the 59and.
The doorman has had good times, like the rest of his team, since his mistake against Atlanta last March. Defender Rudy Camacho did not fail to point this out.
“Seba had a complicated moment, as we can all have,” he said. It happens. The important thing is to stay with yourself. He has a fairly strong character, he remained confident despite the mistakes. »
“We like it”
A trust that rubs off on his neighbour. Like right-back Alistair Johnston, who relishes his decidedly more offensive responsibilities in Montreal than what was asked of him in Nashville.
Because in addition to having already recorded four assists in 2022, three more than in 2021 and 2020, he scored a very first goal for CFM on Saturday evening. A second in MLS. His solid strike from the right of the box in the 67and doubled the bet for visitors.
A diversified attack is a healthy attack. Is this a real proverb? Never mind. Let’s apply it to the men of Wilfried Nancy. Johnston’s success was the sixth by a Montreal defenseman this season. The starting midfielder was reworked, with Victor Wanyama back from suspension, and Mathieu Choinière instead of Ismaël Koné. Gabriele Corbo took his place in the starting XI for the first time since March 12, due to the suspension of Joel Waterman.
“We all attack together, we all defend together, analyzed Nancy. We try to help the attackers score goals. It is a collective work. I’m super proud that there are plenty of players who score. It proves that what we do is interesting. »
“All the guys contribute,” noted Djordje Mihailovic. Ali [Johnston] had his first goal, and we are very proud of him, he deserves it. It’s a result of the commitment of everyone in the team, including those who come into the second half late. »
Do you want more, positive news related to CF Montreal? The win was also his first ever shutout of the season. And his soldiers wanted it, this immaculate result.
“It feels good,” Rudy Camacho said without hesitation. We were winning games, but as defenders we couldn’t be completely happy because we conceded a lot of goals. In addition, it is a largely controlled victory. So it’s great for everyone. »
Camacho has been in Montreal since 2018. But he is currently living his best moments in the Quebec metropolis. “From afar”, even.
“Not just because we win games, but also because we build them. We leave no room for chance. Tonight, we gave a tactical and technical demonstration. »
“We have depth, we have good players, a staff that puts things in place. We like it. »
The good times have – really – never seemed so good.