Mathieu Choinière has tasted the euphoria of a major international tournament, and he is still ready to help CF Montreal despite the transfer rumors about him.
After working hard to gain the trust of Canada head coach Jesse Marsch, the 25-year-old Quebecer didn’t play the tourist in the Copa America third-place match against Uruguay on Saturday night.
In his first career start for Canada, Choinière held his own in midfield against world-class players like Federico Valverde and Rodrigo Bentancur. He also didn’t appear intimidated when he scored a convincing goal in the shootout.
The Canadian team eventually lost, but Choinière only has good memories of the tournament.
“It was my best soccer experience ever. It was amazing to be able to play against the best in the world. It’s an experience that will benefit everyone and Canadian soccer. We’ll be able to continue to progress, because I don’t think we’re really far away,” he said Tuesday, before the Bleu-blanc-noir’s training session at the Nutrilait Centre.
Choinière’s return to Montreal, however, reminded him that there was also another reality he had to deal with in MLS.
Since transfer rumors surfaced in May, the midfielder has repeatedly reiterated his allegiance to CF Montreal, without denying them. Informant Tom Bogert also mentioned Monday that Choinière still wants to leave the team, which has an option year on his contract for 2025.
Nevertheless, Choinière is not the type to cause trouble. As long as he wears the Montreal team’s jersey, he intends to give it his all.
“I am under contract in Montreal and I will continue to play my matches. If the head coach [Laurent Courtois] “If you call me, I’ll be there. For now, I’m here and I’m going to give it my all. I’m having discussions with my agent, but they’ll stay between us,” said the Quebecer.
As is often the case for many young players, soccer in Europe seems to be the dream to achieve. Choinière did not hide the fact that this is what he was aiming for. Especially since the Bleu-blanc-noir recently facilitated the passage to the Old Continent of some of its former players, such as Djordje Mihailovic, Alistair Johnston and Ismaël Koné.
“Of course I would like to go to Europe, I’ve always said that. It’s my dream,” Choinière insisted. “I’ve always dreamed of Europe, of the Champions League, of reaching the highest level of football that I could play in my life.”
When John Herdman was Canada’s head coach, he encouraged MLS players to explore their options and sign with a European club. Johnston and Koné, who represented Canada at the 2022 World Cup and Copa America, have had success in Scotland and England, respectively.
Marsch doesn’t disagree, but he notes that situations can vary from one individual to another. Choinière’s case may be one of them.
“It’s good to play for big European clubs, but you have to find a way to be on the pitch,” Marsch explained. “It’s difficult to be at the top level with the national team if you’re not consistent with your club. Mathieu has great potential, but right now I think he’s also in a good position to improve. If a good opportunity comes along and he can play, then it’s up to him to decide what’s best for him.”
Returns against the Red Bulls
One thing is certain, Courtois will not do without Choinière’s services.
“Mathieu, he wants to break everything. He has huge ambitions to play in Europe, but he wants to give everything here for his club. And I need him for the mental and the spirit that we want here. Mathieu is indispensable,” said the head coach, adding that he would be in uniform on Wednesday evening, against the Red Bulls in New York.
Courtois will need him, but also veterans Samuel Piette and Joel Waterman, who also wore Canada’s colours at the Copa America. During the absence of the three players, CF Montreal (6-9-8) posted a 2-2-2 record.
The first match of this sequence, on June 19, was against the Red Bulls (9-4-10). The New York club then came to snatch a 2-2 draw at the Saputo stadium, even though it was trailing 2-0 after the hour mark.
“We learned lessons from how we didn’t score the third goal and how we conceded the equalizer. We noted which elements come from the tactical aspect and which ones come from the mental aspect,” Courtois said.
The latter hopes to see a little more altruism from some players on Wednesday. During the 1-0 victory over Atlanta United on Saturday night, the Montrealers played for 35 minutes with an extra player, but they showed technical deficiencies in their actions.
“What bothered me in the last game was the ego. We are at a point in the season where the team is the most important thing. We had the opportunity to win by three or four goals and we didn’t do it. There are young players from whom I expect a lot more in terms of heart. There is a little too much ego at the moment,” said the head coach.
The two new players of the Bleu-blanc-noir, defenders Tom Pearce and Dawid Bugaj, were present at training with their teammates on Tuesday morning. They will however not be in uniform against the Red Bulls.