Despite a season beyond expectations, during which he was excluded from the playoff portrait on the very last day of the season, CF Montreal has no representative for individual year-end honors in MLS. And that includes Wilfried Nancy as Head Coach of the Year.
Although Bruce Arena of the New England Revolution was the favorite to win the Sigi Schmid Trophy after guiding his team to an MLS record 73 points, many observers believed that Nancy was a candidate deserving of consideration.
However, following the ballot among MLS players, team technical staff and journalists, Robin Fraser (Colorado Rapids) and Brian Schmetzer (Seattle FC Sounders) will wrestle at Arena, which has won this trophy on three occasions.
Before the start of the season, several experts had placed CF Montreal last in the Eastern Conference, especially following the team’s decision to give the head coach position to Nancy, a rookie in this league. role, after the unexpected resignation of Thierry Henry towards the end of February.
However, despite a young team, made up of several newcomers and which played its first game at the Saputo stadium in mid-July, Nancy helped keep the Montreal team at the height of the fight for a place in the playoffs until on the decisive day of the season, November 7.
Needing a home win against Orlando City SC to achieve the feat, Nancy’s men lost 2-0, however.
CF Montreal (12-12-10) finished the season with 46 points, ranked 10th, two points behind the New York Red Bulls and seventh, the latter giving access to the playoffs in the Eastern Conference.
This Sunday, the Montreal squad will return to Saputo Stadium to face Toronto FC in the final of the Canadian Championship. With a victory, CF Montreal will qualify for the CONCACAF Champions League tournament.
The Revolution dominates
Arena is one of five representatives of the Revolution vying for individual honor, more than any other formation in the league. Nashville SC, Seattle Sounders and LA Galaxy have three.
The Revolution nominees list includes Canadian forward Tajon Buchanan in the Young Player of the Year category (born January 1, 1999 or later).
The 22-year-old from Brampton, Ont., Buchanan has achieved personal career highs in games played (27), starts (19) in goals (eight) and assists (five). He should join FC Bruges, the Belgian League champions, after the season.
The list also includes midfielder Carles Gil, vying for the Landon Donovan Trophy awarded to his team’s most valuable player. He will wrestle Valentin Castellanos (New York City FC), Hany Mukhtar (Nashville SC), Joao Paulo (Seattle Sounders) and Daniel Salloi (Sporting Kansas City).
Ryan Gauld of the Vancouver Whitecaps is in the running for the best newcomer to MLS, and Justin Morrow of Toronto FC is one of three Humanitarian of the Year contenders.
With Neil Davidson of the Canadian Press