From reserve to candidate for MVP. Could Jonathan Sirois’ first year with CF Montreal have gone better?
“I’m just happy to be nominated,” put the Impact’s Quebec goalkeeper into perspective on Thursday afternoon at the Nutrilait Center. He has blades of grass in his face and his jersey stained grass green after a light training session, more than a week before the decisive match against Columbus.
The club announced Wednesday that Sirois, Mathieu Choinière and Kwadwo Opoku are the three candidates for the club’s MVP title in 2023. The recipient of the Giuseppe-Saputo Trophy is elected by the fans.
“I think it’s the same for everyone,” adds Sirois. I’m super happy with the season I’m having. It’s certainly gratifying to be recognized at this level. »
But he himself is not convinced that this trophy belongs to him.
“I think Mathieu deserves it a lot too,” he said. Not only for what he does on the field, but also off the field. He is someone who has really stepped up in terms of leadership this year. »
The successes of both players are well documented. Sirois confidently asserted himself in net after James Pantemis went down in the first game of the season. So much so that he no longer gave up his place even after his compatriot’s return to the game. The jailer broke CF Montreal’s record for shutouts in a season, with 11 clean sheets. Sirois is also a candidate for the CFM Defensive Player of the Year title.
Choinière is the team’s top scorer, with five goals and as many assists. He is also the trusted man of his head coach Hernán Losada, who can use him on the left, center or right of midfield without problem.
“It’s an extension of myself,” Losada said after the victory against Portland last Saturday. The technician never stops praising his Quebec Swiss army knife.
“He’s one of the coaches on the field. He also has this South American side, with which he shows a lot of emotion. That’s why I have such a beautiful connection with him. »
In any case, no matter who walks away with this honor, “I am more focused on the collective result,” says Sirois.
“In my head, I’m in Montreal next year”
PHOTO NATHAN RAY SEEBECK, USA TODAY SPORTS ARCHIVES
Jonathan Sirois during a match against Orlando last September
At the start of the year, Sirois arrived in MLS after two seasons on loan with Winnipeg Valor FC, in the Canadian Premier League (PLC). Some differences between the two levels took him by surprise.
“There are players in MLS who are capable of doing things that PLC players don’t think to do. In my defensive role, I have to expect a little bit of everything. And sometimes, especially at the start of the year, I was surprised by the opponents’ passes, movements or attempted strikes. There was an adjustment for me in that regard. »
Montreal is one of the only teams on the circuit not to have a farm club in MLS Next Pro. His alternative is to send his players on loan to the PLC, or with his reserve team in Ligue1 Quebec.
The arrival of the Saint-Hubert goalkeeper in MLS was resounding. However, it was not the same story for midfielder Sean Rea, who is struggling to find a place with the first team after also wearing the colors of Valor in 2021 and 2022. What does Sirois think of the development process of the young CFM players?
“It’s true that Sean may not have necessarily had playing time, but I believe the process is good,” agrees Sirois. Sean has progressed enormously in PLC, and we also saw it at the start of the year. »
“Being sent to the PLC for one or two years, having playing time there, gaining experience, playing with men, I see that in a very positive way. Especially from my personal experience. »
Jonathan Sirois may have had an excellent first season here, but he does not see himself making an Ismaël Koné or an Alistair Johnston of himself by leaving the club for other lands after a year.
“In my head, I am in Montreal next year,” he says. I see next year as a year of confirmation. »
“I am extremely motivated for the off-season,” he adds with verve. I know I have a lot of things to improve. I’m really excited to work on this. »
We presume that he would not say no to postponing this moment for a few weeks, time to have an interesting run in the playoffs.
A young supporter rewarded for his dedication
It was pouring rain last Saturday at the Saputo stadium. It was cold, too. But a young fan braved this inhospitable weather by attending the warm-up period and the 90 minutes of play with a sign encouraging goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois. The latter wanted to thank him by going to get a pair of gloves from the locker room at the end of the meeting, but when he came out, the boy was no longer there. Sirois called on the community of CFM supporters on X, and finally managed to get in touch with his dad, and ultimately, to chat virtually with the young supporter in question.
“The online community did its job, and I was really happy. It really touched me to see everyone trying to help me reach him. »
“I was able to speak with the little boy, we exchanged a few voice messages. I managed to mail him the gloves. […] He was really touched. He jokingly told me he was trying to convince his dad to buy season tickets! It was really cute. »