We could explain to you how promising Sunday’s match between CF Montreal and New York City FC is. Or we could let Alistair Johnston do this work.
Posted yesterday at 6:19 p.m.
“I think it’s going to be another great show,” he begins by saying in French to the media. Training had just ended at Center Nutrilait, a few days before this second-round clash for the MLS Cup.
Johnston, who describes himself as a “soccer geek”, then mentions the other games scheduled on the circuit. In particular, there will be “El Trafico”, between the Los Angeles Galaxy and LAFC. There will be the Texas derby, between Austin FC and FC Dallas.
And there will be the bagel derby between Montreal and New York. The second and third in the East, respectively.
People are excited about our game. Even those without bias. They will see two of the best ball teams in the league face off. […] It may be the best game in terms of quality with the ball.
Alistair Johnston
A stark contrast to the style of play – if you can call it that – offered by Orlando last Sunday. The Lions retreated, while trying to waste time by all means. The NYCFC is not at all drawn from the same mould, as evidenced by its beautiful 3-0 victory over Inter Miami on Monday night.
This poses a very different challenge for Montreal. Pay particular attention to forwards Héber and Talles Magno, as well as midfielder Gabriel Pereira.
“They have incredible players, analyzes the Canadian international defender. We saw what they did in Miami, with their offensive streaks. »
There’s a reason these guys won the Cup last year. It’s a really good team.
Alistair Johnston
Montreal has often had difficulty this season in breaking the low defensive block of the teams that came to defend at Saputo Stadium. The example of last Sunday is topical in this regard: it took him 68 minutes to find the breach in the Florida wall.
But in front of a team that comes to the Quebec metropolis to play, the valves should be open. On both sides.
“Trust” and “humility”, always
For a time in the last few months, it was believed that New York was getting away with it. The Cityzens suffered in quick succession the departure of their head coach Ronny Deila – who left for Standard Liège, Belgium – and that of their star striker “Taty” Castellanos. The latter is still the team’s top scorer with 13 goals, despite moving to La Girona on July 25.
Result: six defeats in nine games from the end of July to mid-September. But they ended the season with three straight wins.
“They adjusted to the loss of Castellanos, underlines Samuel Piette. He was the most important player on their team. It takes time when you lose a big chunk like that. »
PHOTO DENIS GERMAIN, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
Samuel Piette
But he recalls that CF Montreal is also in excellent conditions. The Quebecer is right: the Bleu et noir ended its season with 4 consecutive victories and only one loss in 15 games. As well as riding the momentum generated by his convincing win over Orlando.
“It’s to keep this confidence, but above all this humility,” he says, referring to the themes dear to his head coach Wilfried Nancy.
To play here in Montreal, with the crowd, the atmosphere we had on Sunday… If we have the same thing, I think it’s very, very intimidating for the other team.
Samuel Piette
Now or never
It only takes a quick look at the CF Montreal roster to realize that the team will be going through big changes next year.
Simply in midfield, Victor Wanyama himself has indicated that he will not return. Djordje Mihailovic has already been transferred. “There are big rumors about Ismaël Koné”, says Samuel Piette himself.
And if Canada looks the slightest bit good at the World Cup, Olivier Renard’s phone may ring like Moman’s when Thérèse has questions about the ingredients to use in her shepherd’s pie.
Antonin Besner, from RDS, asks the question: is it difficult not to tell yourself that it’s now or never?
“Yes, honestly. Of course we think about it, reveals Piette. […] This year is a historic season. We know that in the playoffs, we are three wins away from lifting that cup. We’re going one game at a time, but we’re ambitious. »
Adidas versus Nike
In September, against Qatar, Jonathan David hid the Nike logo with his hand. It was a sign of protest against the company and Canada Soccer, which did not take steps in time to produce a new jersey before the World Cup. Canada will thus be the only selection present without a jersey created especially for the occasion. We feel a frustration on the part of the athletes on this, especially in the context of the ongoing financial dispute between the players and the federation.
Then on Tuesday promotional images of Adidas featuring Samuel Piette, Alistair Johnston and other Canadian internationals surfaced on social media. We used the same lettering as the jerseys of 1986, when Adidas was the official partner.
Was it another form of protest against Nike?
Negative, the two men confirmed on Wednesday. Both are “Adidas athletes”.
“Even if they are not the official partners, they wanted to do something, explains Piette. A big event like that is historic. I think Adidas didn’t want to miss that opportunity to highlight it. »
But you didn’t have to bother to thumb your nose at Nike either, did you?
“I don’t think we wanted to send a message,” replies Alistair Johnston. […] It’s time to release merchandise, and Adidas wanted to do something about it. It’s been 36 years since Canada was at the World Cup. »