On the first goal, he caused the penalty. On the second goal, he redirected the ball which touched the horizontal bar, allowing Chinonso Offor to score with a header. On the third goal, he served the superb pass to Romell Quioto. Mathieu Choinière was everywhere last Saturday.
“Mathieu is phenomenal,” dropped Hernan Losada after the win over the Philadelphia Union. The accolades didn’t stop there:
“I have great respect for him because no matter where he plays, he performs,” continued the head coach. Whether defensively or offensively, it’s incredible. He has a big heart, he plays for the team. He puts the team before his individual performances. I love her so much. »
These kinds of words, when they come out of the mouth of a coach, are not to be taken lightly. Again Wednesday morning, three days after the victory, Losada praised the offensive talent, versatility and physical work of the 24-year-old Quebecer.
“He’s also an Academy player, from Montreal,” he noted. That’s why he gives a lot of motivation to all the players. »
PHOTO GRAHAM HUGHES, THE CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVES
Hernan Losada
The main interested party did not hide that the words of his trainer to him had made him “really happy”. The opposite would have been surprising.
It is sure that coming from the coach, it gives me a little wings. I see that he has confidence in me, so that gives me confidence.
Mathieu Choiniere
“It’s fun, but I can’t stop now. Each match, I have to perform, to bring what I brought to the last match. »
Since he evolved with the CFM, Choinière is considered the Swiss army knife of training. From the last training camp, it was clear that the young man’s ability to play in different positions would be put forward again this season. On Saturday he was used on the left, while Lassi Lappalainen was employed on the right.
“It really doesn’t bother me,” Choinière said. I am available to the coach, no matter where. There is no problem. »
Asked about his progress, the one who has worn the colors of the CFM since 2018 simply indicated that he “feels good” on the ground and that he intends to “continue on this path”.
Offor plays the heroes
Chinonso Offor, acquired from the Chicago Fire last August, was a hero on Saturday when he scored with a header to tie the game at 2-2 in the 90th minute of the game.
On video replay, the goal was first disallowed, before being accepted. These moments of waiting were a rollercoaster of emotions for the thousands of fans gathered at the Olympic Stadium… and for the 22-year-old Nigerian, who had never scored in a Montreal uniform before.
PHOTO GRAHAM HUGHES, THE CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVES
Chinonso Offor
“I just had to react. I knew the defender was going to put his legs in while I went with my head. I had to put my head first. I thought to myself: if his legs touch my head, that’s okay, the doctors can take care of that later! “, he said with a smile.
When asked if he was nervous during the recovery, the number 9 went there with an “obviously, obviously! “. “They looked twice, I think it’s the first time I’ve seen it,” he continued, laughing.
At 6’3″, Offor also brought a physical presence to this matchup against one of the best teams in the East.
“It’s natural for me. I know there are fat guys who don’t particularly like it, but when you have a body like that, you have to try to work that into your game. Luckily, it’s already part of my game. just gotta work on being a little more bully [bully] in the field. »
CF Montreal enjoys a long two-week break, with the next game not scheduled for July 1er April against the Vancouver Whitecaps. The team will take the opportunity to work on the “physical part” and the defense, according to Losada.
“Obviously, this break is much more beautiful after a victory than after a defeat! »
Losada apologizes
Hernan Losada apologized to the media for Kamal Miller’s injury management after practice on Wednesday. On March 15, three days before the game against the Philadelphia Union, the head coach said his central defender would not play. The latter eventually found himself in the starting XI, playing 80 minutes before being substituted.
PHOTO DAVID KIROUAC, USA TODAY SPORTS ARCHIVES
Jakob Glesnes (5) and Kamal Miller (3)
“Kamal wasn’t playing 100 percent,” Losada noted. We took the risk with him. I can give my apologies here because Wednesday [le 15 mars], we were here and it was impossible for him to play. Afterwards, the evolution was top Thursday and Friday. He came and he wanted to play. That’s why he played. But the idea was not to lie or give false information, so sorry. »
Miller had been chosen by the Canadian team for the two games of the international window before forfeiting Tuesday morning. The CFM will therefore take advantage of this week without a duel to “give it time to recover”.