CF Montreal have had a lot of success at home this season, but they will likely face their biggest challenge on Wednesday night.
Aside from a small mishap against DC United in April, the Bleu-blanc-noir has been intractable in front of his fans in 2023. He has won six of his seven MLS games on his home turf in addition to adding two victories in as many matches at the Canadian Championship.
Head coach Hernan Losada’s men will now have to continue their success at Stade Saputo by facing one of the hottest teams for the past two months: Nashville SC (10-3-5).
We already knew that the formation of Tennessee was not an easy opponent, but it is even less so these days. Nashville SC is undefeated in its last 10 games (7-0-3) to move into second place in the Eastern Conference. Above all, he has the best defense in MLS with only 13 goals against in 18 games.
The good news for CF Montreal (7-9-1) is that they are coming back from a week without a game and they will be fresh and ready to defend their reputation at home.
“It took a lot of energy for us to build that reputation at home and that’s something we have to maintain for the rest of the season,” Losada insisted. It’s now a matter of being competitive against MLS Cup contenders. Nashville is one of them. »
The Montreal troops know what to expect from Nashville SC and they know they will have to be patient to find breaches. Fans could be treated to a real game of chess.
Since the arrival of Nashville SC in MLS in 2020, CF Montreal has still not won in six duels (0-4-2). Earlier this season, the Bleu-blanc-noir lost 2-0 to Tennessee, in a game in which they did not take a shot on target despite dominating possession (65.2 for hundred against 34.8).
“Nashville isn’t afraid to let other teams have the ball and defend as a tight block. We just watched some video footage. They are comfortable with absorbing the pressure and going for long passes to start the counterattack. We just have to take our game up a notch and be ready for this game plan,” observed forward Chinonso Offor.
However, do not believe that Nashville SC does not have the elements to fuel the show. MLS Most Valuable Player of 2022, midfielder Hany Mukhtar has tallied 13 goals and seven assists since the start of the campaign and just recorded a second hat trick this season on Saturday.
In addition to having the heavy task of breaking through this defense, CF Montreal will have a lot to do to muzzle the player who has just been named player of the week in MLS.
“We know they’re a good offensive team as well. They have big guns in front. It will be up to us to impose our style of play,” explained Quebecer Mathieu Choinière.
“They have experience and a lot of individual talent,” added Losada. They are on a good streak and the best player in MLS is playing for them. It’s a complicated team, but we can achieve special things at home. »
The head coach has it all right. Especially since Nashville SC has struggled a little more on the road this season, as is generally the case across MLS, despite an acceptable 3-2-3 record.
The Montrealers hope that their fans will once again have an impact on the final result.
“It’s not easy to go and play abroad. You play in front of a noisy crowd that supports your opponent. You have to travel too. Perhaps it has a link with the negative records abroad, indicated Choinière. When we play at home, the crowd gives us wings and energy. It’s easier to play in this situation. »