The CF Montreal locker room emanates a certain cohesion. Even if we are certainly far from the aromas of bergamot and cedar gushing from the candles offered in a trendy Mile End boutique, we get along.
Posted at 12:06 p.m.
Talk to Samuel Piette.
“We have such a good locker room,” he said on Thursday. I think it’s the best I’ve had in my professional career. And even non-professional. It makes it show on the field. »
And how. CF Montreal is having the best season in its history in MLS. In 2015, he was ranked 3e in the East with 51 points. This year, with 9 games to play, Wilfried Nancy’s team has already accumulated 43 units and is openly aiming for first place in the conference.
A success that the Quebec co-captain attributes to the harmony that reigns among the players.
“The guys want to play. They want to fight for each other. […] Yes, we have qualities on the field, but when you see a guy who is having a little difficulty, and you know that you can count on the one behind, it makes you go into overdrive. »
PHOTO ERIC BOLTE, USA TODAY SPORTS ARCHIVES
“We feel that everyone is concerned in the group, indicated the midfielder. That everyone has something to play. That’s what keeps us together,” analyzes Mathieu Choinière.
A statement corroborated by Mathieu Choinière, Friday.
“We feel that everyone is concerned in the group, indicated the midfielder. That everyone has something to play. It’s what holds us together. »
Wilfried Nancy does speak of a good “state of mind” among his men. He gives the example of the great victory in Houston, last Saturday. A win – the first in club history at Dynamo’s home – that its players seemed to find “normal”. It was anything but the case, he believes.
“I liked it, because it proves where we come from. […] But, I tell you, it is abnormal what they have done. It was very hot. It’s very difficult to play there. »
“It was with a lot of humility that we won that match,” recalls the coach.
Flowers for everyone
PHOTO VINCENT CARCHIETTA, USA TODAY SPORTS ARCHIVES
Coach Wilfried Nancy
Discussions with the media on Thursday also resulted in an exchange of compliments between Nancy and Piette.
It is that for the man at the helm of the team, the Quebec midfielder is one of the architects of this cohesion in the group. Both on and off the field.
“I met him the first day I signed my contract,” says Nancy. I immediately told him that he was important, for the team and the city. And despite everything, there were going to be times when he wasn’t going to play. And Sam has always been exceptional in that. It is in particular thanks to him that we have results. »
“I like having the ball, but Sam allows having the ball in relation to his desire to recover the ball, and then to improve. »
These words are reported to the player a few moments later. He begins by being grateful. “It’s heart-warming,” he said. Then explains that the successes of the team this season start from the top.
“The way we play, the content we give is essentially the same each game, underlines the Repentignois. It’s obviously thanks to the players, but also to Wilfried and his staff. […] Everyone is important. We have a good locker room. The work that Wilfried does, hats off. »
“Rigour” and “patience” at home
PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
The New England Revolution (pictured, in a previous game at Stade Saputo) come to Montreal on their own five-game unbeaten streak.
The team’s success abroad has been well documented this year. But you also have to win your games at home. In this case, against New England, Saturday, at Saputo Stadium.
In this six-game unbeaten streak, Montreal hurt a draw twice at home. Is there a form of increased pressure when playing in front of our supporters.
Nancy does speak of a “different style of play when the teams come home”.
But he wants to see his team continue to be “patient with the ball”, to play with “rigor”, not to “fall into monotony”.
The New England Revolution come to Montreal on their own five-game unbeaten streak. And push for a playoff spot. His last game: a 2-2 recorded in Toronto on Wednesday.
“There will be fatigue on their side, believes Samuel Piette. But we are waiting for New England as we attacked Houston, and as we waited for New York City. »
Moreover, a victory against the troop of Bruce Arena would place the CFM two small points from first place in the East.
And the group is pumped up, according to Samuel Piette.
“There aren’t a lot of teams in the league that can handle the game we’re playing. »