(Montreal) The start of the Hernan Losada era with CF Montreal hasn’t gone as planned, as the team seeks its first goal — and even its first points — of the season.
CF Montreal (0-2-0) were outscored 3-0 in two away games to start their season. He is one of four MLS clubs to fail to find the back of the net. The Bleu-blanc-noir must now face an opponent that is known to be difficult, namely Nashville SC.
The Montreal team has failed to win in its last five meetings with Nashville SC (1-0-1). Even without Hany Mukhtar, the 2022 most valuable player and MLS leading scorer who is struggling with injuries at the start of the season, the Tennessee team still presents a daunting task.
CF Montreal isn’t the only Canadian MLS team struggling to start the season. In six games, the Montrealers, Toronto FC and Vancouver Whitecaps have collected just one point between them and scored just five goals while conceding 11.
“The start of the season for Canadian teams is always difficult with all the travel, but we still need results,” said Losada, who took over from Wilfried Nancy as head coach before the season. Nashville is a very tough team to play against and they haven’t allowed a goal this season. They practice a style that the players are committed to and obviously it pays off. »
A build-up of injuries throughout the preseason and an influx of youngsters who have been thrust into the spotlight have created challenges for Montreal. The squad is among the youngest in MLS with an average age of just over 26, and that lack of experience can cause headaches.
However, the goal of the team led by Vice-President and Chief Sporting Officer Olivier Renard is to develop and showcase young talent. This season, CF Montreal has 11 new players through the transfer market, trades and loanee returns, but only one is over 22 — 25-year-old defender Aaron Herrera.
It’s a reality that some of the more experienced players at the club will have to get used to.
“Young players need time and opportunities. Right now we have to make do with what we have. They showed they had quality, but it’s only a matter of time before they get good, said veteran midfielder Victor Wanyama. There has been a lot of transition in the team and we need a few games to click, but step by step we are getting there. »
One of the biggest adjustments has been the new faces on offense. With the departure of key players like Djordje Mihailovic and Kei Kamara, the weight of goalscoring expectations has been placed on Romell Quioto, the club’s most valuable player last season with 15 MLS goals.
The Honduran international has developed a special partnership with Mihailovic and the two have become one of the most dangerous duos in MLS. Now it’s up to newcomers and local talent Sean Rea to fill that gap.
Quioto and Rea have had dangerous moments in the opposition penalty area but have yet to combine their efforts for a goal.
“The more we play together, the better our chemistry and understanding improves. We have found each other many times and it will only get better.
“Romell is great with everyone off the pitch and always makes sure to talk to the younger guys before a game and that goes a long way to building trust and a good relationship. »
Morale still seems high among the Montreal forwards and the belief that they can regain their status as an elite offensive team is there, but it all comes down to creating chances — something the team did well against the USA. Inter Miami, but struggled last week against Austin FC. That could be a problem against Nashville’s solid defense, which has allowed just five shots on target this year and hasn’t conceded a goal.
“When you don’t score goals, there are two reasons: either you weren’t surgical in front of the net, or you didn’t create chances,” Losada observed. As long as we have chances, goals and points will come. »