And their hearts are full of it.
CF Montreal had it, its qualification. Despite the 2-1 defeat against the Crew in Columbus in Saturday’s final match. Despite a catastrophic end to the season with only one victory in nine games.
Then, more than 600 kilometers away, the beating of a butterfly’s wings. In Columbus, the hurricane.
In Nashville, John Tolkin scored from the penalty spot to give the Red Bulls victory in the 94the minute. A gain which allowed New York to delight the 9e place in Montreal, thus relegated to 10e position.
“Honestly, it hurts,” agreed a disappointed Hernán Losada after the events.
“It’s a shame,” he continues. We were in position for the qualifying match for several weeks. And at the last minute, you miss it by two points. »
“It’s up to us to raise our heads,” he said. To be happy to have represented the club with great honor. »
“One of the best teams in the league”
Yes, it’s heartbreaking. The defeat in Columbus was predictable, but the Montrealers’ performance was honorable, especially in the first half.
The Crew dominated the debate. This is how Wilfried Nancy’s team works, especially at home. But against all odds, Montreal struck first.
At the 7e minute, Nathan Saliba sent a long and tasty pass to Zachary Brault-Guillard, who joined the ball in the area. The Quebecer had free rein to simply pass to Sunusi Ibrahim on his left. He threaded the needle into an open net.
PHOTO TREVOR RUSZKOWSKI, USA TODAY SPORTS VIA REUTERS CON
Sunusi Ibrahim (14), CF Montreal striker, celebrates after scoring a goal during the first half.
But the Crew responded 10 minutes later, courtesy of a very nice strike from star player Cucho Hernández. Returning from the locker room, Darlington Nagbe gave the locals the lead with a beautiful goal from the edge of the area. The Ohio team’s steamroller then did the rest of the work.
“I think it’s one of the best teams in the league,” said Joel Waterman, lucid in the press conference as well as on the field. On assignment in Columbus, he was his team’s best player on Saturday. Without his blocks and his courage in defense, the score is not close.
PHOTO TREVOR RUSZKOWSKI, USA TODAY SPORTS VIA REUTERS CON
Columbus Crew forward Christian Ramirez (17) reacts after being tackled by CF Montreal defender Joel Waterman (16).
“They have the ability to keep the ball, to attract you, to make you question your own tactics to win the ball back. »
“We will continue to work on our identity and on the way we play,” he said frankly. Hoping to be able to develop this a little more next year. »
“The season is 34 games”
At the CFM, at least for its members who we spoke to after the match, the result of the season is not the consequence of what happened in Columbus on Saturday.
Waterman mentions the club’s very poor performances abroad. The Impact has only won 2 out of 17.
“Winning a few away games could have helped us. […] We have to look at ourselves in the mirror. We didn’t have to be in this position last game. We have to think about what we can do best, not hope that other teams help us. »
He and Losada brought home two disappointing draws in September, against the Chicago Fire (0-0) and FC Cincinnati (1-1).
The CFM lost points “on the very last action against Cincinnati,” said the defender. In the end, that’s what makes the difference. »
“The season is 34 games,” recalls Losada. […] We had a very good record at home, but very bad abroad. »
“Olivier is my boss”
Right now, what should the club do to move in the right direction next year?
“We have a very young team,” emphasizes Waterman. It’s been a fantastic year for many of our young players, in terms of experience. We can build on that. […] Emotional maturity will be very important for our team. »
“Our group has improved a lot,” believes Losada. If you compare it with now and the start of the season, several players have had good progress, without saying names. »
After the departure of Wilfried Nancy and several key players in its success last year, Montreal experienced a season of transition. However, it does not achieve the organization’s stated goal of reaching the playoffs in 2023.
Does Hernán Losada, who still has one year left on his contract, believe that his position is in danger?
“We are going to do an analysis with the whole club,” he replies. Olivier [Renard], he’s my boss. He is the one who chose me, and who chooses the group of players. […] We are all in the same boat, we have built a lot this season, and we will make more progress next year. »