When the ball shot from the foot of Mathieu Choinière entered the net on Saturday night at Stade Saputo, we felt a special energy emanating from the crowd.
Updated yesterday at 11:21 p.m.
First, because this goal in the 47e minute gave CF Montreal a 2-1 lead – for good – against Charlotte FC. Then, because the strings were just moving in front of Ultras returning to the stands for the first time since last September.
But above all, because a Quebecer made his club win the day after the national holiday. And in a beautiful way, too.
“It’s sick! “Launched Choinière in front of the media after the meeting. He had come to the press scrum with a blue fleur-de-lis cowboy hat, wishing “Happy Saint John’s Day to everyone”.
The midfielder had just entered the match after returning from the locker room. He replaced Lassi Lappalainen who, moreover, had not had a bad first period. Ninety seconds later, the Quebecer was brilliantly served by a cross pass from Romell Quioto. He climbed into the penalty area from the left. A small hook to get back on his right foot, and his shot made its way sublimely to the right corner.
“I had juice for 120 minutes!” he exclaimed, noting how adrenaline would carry him until the end of the encounter.
The moment even moved his head coach Wilfried Nancy.
“My wife often criticizes me for not being the most expressive of boys, he joked at a press conference. But I just had chills. »
PHOTO GRAHAM HUGHES, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Mathieu Choiniere (29)
The day before, Nancy had asked Samuel Piette to explain the meaning of Quebec’s national holiday to CF Montreal players. A speech that also took place after a tough 4-0 defeat against Toronto FC in the Canadian Championship last Wednesday.
“He explained what the difference was with Canada Day,” says Nancy. Me, it allowed me to bounce back on different cultures, why the players are there, and why playing against Toronto is important. »
Charlotte didn’t offer much opposition for the rest of the half. It must be said that 10 of his players were subject to the MLS COVID-19 protocol on Saturday evening. Goalkeeper George Marks and midfielder Koa Santos were in their first minutes with their club this season.
Mason Toye, finally
We came within inches of another perfect story on Saturday.
CF Montreal striker Mason Toye, with his two injuries that have kept him out of the field since August 2021, was finally able to return to the game. He replaced Joaquín Torres at the 77e. At the 78ehis headshot just missed the target.
His presence on the field nevertheless made many people happy among Montrealers.
I am really happy. Too bad he didn’t score that goal. […] He is a goalscorer, it would have done him good.
Wilfried Nancy, on Mason Toye
“He worked a lot, a lot, a lot, continued the coach. He was very brave. »
“He’s a guy who works so hard in training,” noted Mathieu Choinière. We all wanted him back. He almost scored, it would have been sick. »
A lackluster first half
The start of the game foreshadowed a thrilling first half. But after the quick goals on both sides, the pace of play calmed down considerably.
PHOTO GRAHAM HUGHES, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Romell Quioto opened the scoring early in the first half.
Quioto hit the mark from the 6the minute on a nice shot with the right foot from a tight angle. We salute the fine pass from Zachary Brault-Guillard deep behind the defense on the action. So it’s a goal and an assist for the Honduran international on Saturday.
The visitors needed just three minutes to recover, courtesy of defender Guzmán Corujo’s right foot. He found the back of the net with a shot to the mouth. Victor Wanyama had inadvertently deflected the ball towards the lucky Charlotte player. 1-1, at the 9e minute.
The Ultras are back
We said it: the Ultras were back at Stade Saputo. They had been absent since last September, those who oppose the rebranding of the Impact. They posted some banners about it during the meeting.
Installed in section 131 before the match, they finally won in section 132 shortly before kick-off. The club therefore had to move supporters who had bought tickets in this section, the former supporters group.
Their presence still delighted the main players in this match.
“I heard them,” Nancy noted. There were twists and turns between the two kops. There was noise. So much the better. »
“The more noise you hear, the more fun it is,” said Choinière. It motivates us. They are welcome, it’s nice. »