Would we dare to say… that the sky is finally clearing for CF Montreal?
With his 2-0 victory on Saturday night against the Chicago Fire at Saputo Stadium, he is now on an interesting streak of three games without a defeat, including two wins. All in a frantic race for the playoffs in the East.
And beyond the results, Laurent Courtois’ men seem to have found their spark in recent games. Their commitment is palpable. Their style of play is starting to stand out. We’re even starting to get a clear idea of Courtois’ best starting eleven, we have to do it!
After 30 games played in MLS, it’s a little late for all this, we agree. But better late than never, probably say the authors of posthumous works. Better to wake up while everything is still to play for in order to qualify for the playoffs. This is what seems to be happening at the Bleu-blanc-noir.
PHOTO BY ERIC BOLTE, USA TODAY SPORTS, PROVIDED BY REUTERS
On Saturday, Josef Martinez was the first to make the difference, scoring a goal in the 21st minute.e minute.
On Saturday, Josef Martinez was the first to make the difference, in the 21st minute.e minute. The veteran striker skillfully kicked the ball while falling after receiving a sublime pass from young Quebecer Nathan Saliba, who was not without reproach in the middle. Martínez thus became the co-leader in goals scored this season, with 6, as many as Sunusi Ibrahim.
Bryce Duke was on fire and one of the authors of this enjoyable and creative performance by the CFM. Caden Clark and Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty continue to do great things for this team.
It was Clark, in fact, who allowed himself a nice little lob to make it 2-0 in the 74th minute.eon a clever pass from Kwadwo Opoku, who had just come on. With two goals in two games in Montreal, the American has had a very good start in his new club.
PHOTO DAVID KIROUAC, USA TODAY SPORTS, PROVIDED BY REUTERS
Caden Clark allowed himself a nice little lob to score in turn.
On the other hand, the Fire offered a performance that was typical of a club with 26e rank in the MLS standings. Chicago’s arrival in Montreal also reminded us of the existence of Ariel Lassiter, traded to the Fire in July. Thanks to the CFM’s recent acquisitions, we can say that the Costa Rican is not missed much by Montrealers.
Here they are with a first shutout since… July 13 — Jonathan Sirois was decisive at the end of the match.
A match that was perhaps the best of the Laurent Courtois era. As if, finally, the light was appearing at the end of a long tunnel.
ON THE RISE
Samuel Piette
It’s not for nothing that despite the succession of coaches in Montreal, Samuel Piette remains a regular starter, year after year. His qualities, however, are very rarely part of the highlights of a game. Piette excels in the proverbial little things, like this clever defensive retreat in the first half, combined with ball control allowing his team to get out of trouble. In this regard, he stood out on Saturday.
DOWN
Raheem Edwards
At left back, Tom Pearce is starting to establish himself as an undisputed starter — it’s hard to do without his free-kick caviars, after all. But it was Edwards at his position on Saturday night, in the context of the third game in a week. We saw the difference, especially in the final third, where the Canadiens had difficulty finding the best options. It’s worth noting that Edwards reached the 10,000-minute mark in MLS on Saturday night.