“Christmas is early,” wrote Matías Cóccaro on Instagram Wednesday morning. On his story : the song Let It Snow, Let It Snow by Dean Martin, and images of snow whipping the walls of the Nutrilait Center. We won’t hold it against you if you don’t laugh.
The injured Uruguayan had the luxury of spending his morning indoors, probably not far from his mate, hence his joking tone. His CF Montreal teammates, for their part, had to suffer the full impact of this winter temperature.
SCREENSHOT TAKEN FROM MATÍAS CÓCCARO’S INSTAGRAM ACCOUNT
Matías Cóccaro had the luxury of spending the morning indoors on Wednesday…
We would like to quote the words of a bundled-up Laurent Courtois as he trudged towards the natural pitch of the training center, but our useless umbrella was losing its integrity. Our focus was therefore elsewhere. Under his scarf and hood, we could deduce that it was a question, in the language of Sir Alex Ferguson, of “hell” and “seal”.
“I’m going to the jacuzzi after this,” Dominic Iankov told the media afterwards. This weather is crazy. »
“To be honest, it was terrible today,” George Campbell said, smiling. But it’s okay, I’m used to it. »
PHOTO ROBERT SKINNER, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
George Campbell
Campbell is originally from Chester, a suburb of Philadelphia. His experience with the cold did not prevent him from leaving the field as soon as training stopped, a good half hour before the usual end time. So do the rest of his teammates, a few of whom usually stick around a bit to practice shots and other maneuvers after the whistle.
But when the wind blows at such a rate, with cold rain gradually turning into snow, at the end of April moreover, we avoid lingering.
“We were supposed to have an even more intense session today,” recalled Iankov, “but [les coachs] removed some elements from training. »
This miserable morning also brought out another bad news in the camp of the CFM attackers: Sunusi Ibrahim and Jonathan Sirois suffered a collision, and the Nigerian had to end his session a few moments later. He left the field in a cart, but had previously gotten up on his own, his legs visibly heavy.
A few hours later, we are writing these lines while the sun is shining in Montreal. Go figure.
Painful end of matches
End of the weather section. Let’s move on to the readers’ letters section.
“I have been the CF for several years,” Hugo Paradis wrote to us after last Saturday’s 2-2 draw against Orlando. I feel like the goals allowed late in games have become the team’s trademark. Do you have any supporting statistics that would confirm this statement? I have the impression that CF ruined several victories by allowing goals in the last five minutes of play. Thank you! »
In this young season, Montreal is indeed the dunce of the league in this regard. We are talking about 8 nets collected between the 76e and the final whistle, out of 16 total – fourth-worst totals in MLS. Translation: half of the goals allowed in 2024 were at the end of the match. It must be said that the 3-goal collapse in Chicago and the chaotic 5-0 defeat in Seattle didn’t help.
The club’s record is 6 goals scored against 11 conceded in the second half, compared to a positive record of 6-5 in the first period.
On the other hand, we cannot establish a trend that would have made it its “trademark” for recent years. In 2023, CFM under Hernán Losada has scored two more goals than it has conceded between the 76e and the 90e (10-8), and was in the middle of the pack. Same thing for 2022, under Wilfried Nancy (9-7). In 2021, it was more difficult, with a differential of -4 (8-12).
“We need to be more focused”
Knowing this, how can we correct this dangerous tangent for the current season?
“We started the campaign really well, on the other side of the spectrum in that aspect,” says Campbell.
The American defender is referring to the 0-0 shutout in Orlando at the start and the 2-1 victory against FC Dallas, and he is not wrong.
“We need to be more concentrated, yes,” he continues. But there is also communication across the team. Maybe we weren’t on the same page at times. Some guys wanted to apply pressure, others wanted to stay behind, and vice versa. You need to take a moment to breathe, get on the same page, and talk more. This is what will make the difference. »
Is the risk of allowing more scoring chances part of the DNA of Laurent Courtois’ style of play, which is more focused on attack?
“Maybe, but I think no coach wants to concede a goal,” Campbell submits with a smile.
Especially not gift goals like those granted recently. It may be Christmas at Cóccaro, but for CF Montreal and Mother Nature, it is time to move on.