(Montreal) Now that Alistair Johnston has done his part, who will be the next CF Montreal defender to find the back of the net? If it can serve as a source of motivation, whoever achieves the feat will allow the troop of Wilfried Nancy to equal another team record.
Posted yesterday at 10:10 p.m.
After 11 games, CF Montreal (6-3-2) not only sits first in the MLS Eastern Conference standings, aided by favorable tiebreakers, they sit atop their section with 22 goals marked. However, more than a quarter of these goals, six to be precise, were the work of defenders.
Last season, CF Montreal defenders tallied seven goals in 34 games on the schedule. Those of the 2013 vintage of the Montreal Impact had obtained the same total, according to information provided by a spokesperson for the team.
In Saturday night’s 2-0 win over Charlotte FC, Johnston became the club’s fifth different defender to score at least one goal since the start of the season.
It was enough to ask him if the defenders of the team were about to launch a friendly “pool” between them.
“It’s going towards that! Joel [Waterman] had scored in the previous game, and I know that comments started circulating that it was my turn. So I was happy to settle this issue very quickly! Johnston said with a big smile on his face after the team’s training session at Center Nutrilait on Monday.
“I’m curious to see who will finish first! But I think the helpers should be worth something too! And right now I think I lead all the defenders [de l’équipe] in this chapter. I’ll save myself with this! added Johnston, in an equally humorous tone.
In fact, Johnston shares the top spot at CF Montreal with Djordje Mihailovic, with four assists.
Moreover, within the team’s group of defenders, Zorhan Bassong, Gabriele Corbo and Robert Thorkelsson, who have been used rather sporadically so far, are the only ones looking for a first goal in 2022.
However, the collective aspect remains the most important, and in this regard, certain details deserve attention. Like the fact that a CF Montreal defender has hit the target in each of the team’s last three outings. Also, several goals from the defenders were scored at important times.
For example, in a 2-1 win at the New York Red Bulls on April 9, Rudy Camacho scored the equalizer in the 71and minute.
On April 30 against Atlanta United at Saputo Stadium, Kamal Miller struck the ropes in the fourth minute to open the scoring.
A week later, Waterman hit the target at the 21and minute to give CF Montreal a 1-0 lead en route to a 4-1 win over Orlando City SC.
On Saturday, Johnston’s goal, which allowed CF Montreal to double its lead, came in the 67and minute of play. Also, he placed Wilfried Nancy’s troops in a much more comfortable position, after Mihailovic’s net at the very end of the first half.
“I think it’s a sign of what our team is. Before starting the second half, we knew that the next goal would be of paramount importance. Yes [Charlotte FC] had it scored and tied the score, the fans would have supported their players even more,” remarked Johnston.
“Having that second goal gave the group a kind of sense of calm, and everyone was able to relax a bit. And as the seconds on the dial ticked away for those final 20 minutes, we delivered a very professional performance. I think that indicates how mature this group has become since the start of the season. »