Gonzalo Higuain is probably the most dangerous player in MLS right now and CF Montreal knows it very well.
The Montreal troops will end their season on Sunday at DRV PNK Stadium, and they will try to control Higuain and Inter Miami CF before starting the playoffs at home.
Just a month ago, Inter Miami CF were in a precarious position and they were looking to break into the top seven teams in the Eastern Conference in order to make the playoffs. Everything changed in the space of four games.
Higuain has scored six of his squad’s 10 goals during that streak, including two in Orlando on Wednesday night, when Inter Miami CF earned a fourth consecutive victory to finally confirm their place in the fall tournament. The Argentinian has hit the target in each of his last five outings.
Author of 16 goals this season, Higuain was supported offensively by his teammates Leonardo Campana and Alejandro Pozuelo, but since he has raised his level of play, it is really him who puts the opposing defenses on alert.
“Higuain has had a very good season and he currently seems in his best form since arriving in Miami. He is very dangerous and we saw his performance in Orlando, underlined CF Montreal defender Kamal Miller. We know this will be his last career game in the season. He will give his all and we will try to keep him off the score sheet. »
The 34-year-old Higuain said on Monday he would retire at the end of the season. Prior to his stint in Miami, he had made stops in the top divisions of Argentina, Spain, Italy and England. He also wore the colors of Argentina on the international scene, notably during the 2010 and 2014 World Cups.
Higuain was slow to make his mark in MLS and CF Montreal head coach Wilfried Nancy remembers his first steps in North America.
“He said in the media that he didn’t expect the level of MLS to be this good. It took a lot of humility. ‘Gonzo’ confessed he thought he was going to fiddle with his cigar, but no, that wasn’t it, Nancy let it be known. He suffered last year, but this year I’m not surprised because he’s a ‘damn’ competitor. He is part of the caliber of Thierry Henry. What I mean by that is that competitors always find a way to bounce back. He had nothing to prove, but he wanted to end on a high note. »
Well positioned in second place in the East, the Bleu-blanc-noir can still look up, as they are only two points behind the Philadelphia Union.
The Montrealers haven’t lost in their last five games (4-0-1), but they don’t intend to let their success this season carry them away. The players are ready for an exciting duel against Inter Miami CF, who are also a potential opponent for the qualifiers.
“We must not take them lightly despite our position. They’re on a good streak right now and it’s working well for them, said midfielder Ismaël Koné. It would be a mistake to project us immediately into the playoffs. There is still one game to win and to prepare for the playoffs. We’re going one part at a time. »
The Florida team had given CF Montreal a good opposition during its visit to Stade Saputo on August 6. Emerson Rodriguez scored in the 79th minute to earn Inter Miami CF a 2-2 draw.
“They have a lot of mobility and quality in midfield and they are also good in finishing. They’re a tough team to play against and they’re playing with confidence right now, Nancy observed. They will try to finish well at home and that is completely normal. They will play in a liberated way, but so will we. I expect a tough game, a full stadium and a good show. »
For the occasion, CF Montreal will find the services of midfielder Djordje Mihailovic, who served a one-game suspension due to an accumulation of yellow cards.