CF Montreal has had a lot of success at home this season, but none of the games it has played at Saputo Stadium so far will have the importance of the next two.
Clinging to the ninth and last place giving access to the playoffs in the Eastern Association, the Bleu-blanc-noir will host this week the Houston Dynamo and the Portland Timbers in the hope of not having to wait for the last match of the season , in Columbus against the Crew, to confirm its participation in the fall tournament.
Through the ups and downs, Montrealers have managed to hold their own in front of their fans this season. Their 9-4-2 record and the streak of six shutouts at home, from April 22 to June 21, are among other reasons responsible for their current position, but all that will no longer mean anything if the results are not there. you this week.
“It’s a great challenge for this young group. We want to deliver positive results to fans. It’s all that matters. We want to give them a good show, because they have been behind us all season. It is also thanks to them that we had good performances at home. I hope we can confirm our good record by winning these last two games,” said head coach Hernan Losada on Monday before a training session at the Nutrilait Center.
More than a month ago, CF Montreal was looking towards the top of the standings, when it held a small cushion of five points in eighth place. Six games without a win later, he is now forced to look behind him.
With 37 points, Losada’s men find themselves with the same total as the Chicago Fire and DC United. The Washington squad, however, played one more match. New York City FC is in eighth place, with 38 points and only two games remaining.
The Bleu-blanc-noir has only itself to blame for its precarious position in the standings. He has the second-worst record in MLS abroad (2-12-2) and is tied for the fourth-worst offense on the circuit (30 goals). The Montreal club has lost valuable points in its last two home outings and is coming back from two crushing losses on opposing fields, during which it was dominated 7-1 in terms of goals.
Despite everything, Losada would not trade his current situation, at the dawn of a week which will “define the future” of his team.
“We weren’t competitive enough on the road. It is a fact. The last six games haven’t been enough, but we’re in a better position than NYCFC or DC United, who have one less game to play. We wanted to be in the race until the end and here we are,” he said.
It is not yet time to take stock, but the head coach of CF Montreal took advantage of his media availability on Monday to get ahead of things somewhat. Losada was keen to point out that his team had surprised almost all the fans and observers this season, and for this reason, he threw flowers to his players.
Collective efforts
“With three games remaining, with a very young squad and several changes, we are still in a position to participate in the playoffs. Few people believed it, especially after our bad start. It is thanks to the efforts of the players that we are here,” he maintained.
“We had high expectations, but our vision is just different from other teams. We want to give opportunities to Academy players and we want to develop young people. When I look at Jules-Anthony [Vilsaint]Matthew [Choinière]Nathan [Saliba], Jonathan Sirois, the evolution of Gabriele Corbo, I think we accomplished our mission this season. »
Beyond the young people, there are also the veterans. Captain Samuel Piette was unhappy with his performance against Atlanta United, midfielder Victor Wanyama has played just 95 minutes since August 20 and striker Romell Quioto was given his first start since May 13 , Saturday, in Orlando, although it did not have the desired effects.
CF Montreal may have to count on them, both on the field and in the locker room, to allow this group to rise above the fray.
Quioto still hasn’t fully recovered from the hamstring injury he suffered almost five months ago, but he’s ready to contribute to his full capacity — if Losada wants to use him. The Honduran will perhaps play his last three matches in a Montreal uniform.
“I’m not quite 100%, but I’m going to keep working to get there. We’re going through tough times right now, but if I can contribute in any way by scoring goals, then I’m keen to do it. So far I have not been approached by the team for a new contract, but everyone knows that I have this club at heart,” Quioto said.
Defender Aaron Herrera (ankle) once again trained on the pitch at the Nutrilait Center. We do not know if it will be available on Wednesday.