The news was not so good in the CF Montreal camp, which may have lost the services of goalkeeper James Pantemis for a while.
Head coach Hernán Losada offered a discouraging medical update on Pantemis after his team’s training at the Olympic Stadium on Wednesday as he spoke of an absence that could last two to four weeks , even up to six weeks, or even longer.
“It is certain that he will not play this weekend, said the head coach from the outset. The diagnosis is not yet clear, but it is certain that he will not play for the next two, three or four weeks. After that it will be depending on rehabilitation and what kind of rehabilitation [les médecins] will favor. »
Losada also said that when he fell to the ground in the Montreal 2-0 loss at the hands of Inter Miami last weekend, the goalkeeper had suffered a shoulder separation. However, it immediately recovered, he added. A ligament was however affected, and the final state of health of the 26-year-old Montrealer will not be known until the next few days.
PHOTO JOHN DAVID MERCER, USA TODAY SPORTS ARCHIVE
James Pantemis was injured against Inter Miami last Saturday.
“Now we have to see what will be the best decision to make for his rehabilitation. »
The CF Montreal boss added that the first team will negotiate over the next few weeks with goalkeepers Jonathan Sirois, who will get his first MLS start on Saturday against Austin FC, and Logan Ketterer. But he didn’t rule out the need for the club to seek outside help.
“We’ll see: if it’s really for a long time, we may need a third goalkeeper,” Losada said. Otherwise, if James can come back in four, five or six weeks, we won’t need to. »
As the reserve team does not play in MLS Next Pro, CF Montreal has no other goalkeeper with a contract allowing him to come and help out the first team.
Sirois replaced Pantemis at short notice in the game against Miami. Whoever has played the last two seasons in the Canadian Premier League (PLC) will now have to prove that he can take the place in the absence of Pantemis.
“It’s up to the players who take advantage of this opportunity to take it, illustrated Losada. I always say that you always have to be ready, because you don’t know when you’re going to be needed. It’s a great opportunity for Jonathan to show how ready he is. We put all our trust in him. »
Sirois had been waiting for this opportunity for a long time and he said he was ready to take up the challenge.
PHOTO ROBERT SKINNER, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Jonathan Sirois (in the foreground) in training
” I will be back [de la PLC] a better player; it’s up to me to get on the pitch and do my best, said the 21-year-old goalkeeper. I work hard on my skills every day. I’m not here to compare myself to anyone. I think I did a good job during the preseason games and that’s why I’m confident. »
I played the whole game against [l’équipe de réserve des Rapids du] Colorado. I already have a 90 minutes in my legs. It’s up to me to do well.
Jonathan Sirois
If several players have in the past taken advantage of the injuries of a holder to establish themselves as a starter, Sirois is not – for the moment at least – in this state of mind.
“I don’t see it that way; I’m going game by game, he assured. My first game will be my MLS debut, so I’m not thinking of going for a job right now. I’m working on what I can do. I’m not comparing myself to anyone yet.
“That said, it’s still an audition. There are going to be many eyes on me; surely the sporting director will watch my performances. It’s up to me to show the club that I can take on this role [si l’absence de Pantemis devait se prolonger]. »
Arrival of Jabang
Pantemis’ injury adds to the woes of the club, which is already without defenders George Campbell, Robert Thorkelsson and Joel Waterman. These injuries are in addition to those of striker Jojea Kwizera and midfielder Matko Miljevic.
Losada said if Waterman wasn’t able to join the group this weekend in Texas, he expected to see him again next week for the meet in Nashville.
However, the head of sports management Olivier Renard came to the aid of his coach by signing an agreement with young defender Ousman Jabang on Wednesday.
The 21-year-old Jabang was the third-round pick (75e in total) of CF Montreal in the 2023 MLS Super Draft. The contract is valid for the 2023 season, but includes option clauses for the following three.
The 6-foot-2, 162-pound American could be available as early as Saturday.
CF Montreal vs. Austin FC, Saturday at 8:30 p.m.