“I speak for myself, for my players: we want to play at Stade Saputo, with a full house. »
Posted at 2:52 p.m.
Updated at 3:17 p.m.
Samuel Piette is categorical. The co-captain of CF Montreal does not want his team to play his playoff game(s) at the Olympic Stadium.
“I tell you in advance, he says before the question of The Press is not fully formulated. The players want to play here, at the Saputo stadium. I understand that at the Olympic Stadium, we can have more people. […] And I’m 100% sure we can fill it. We see it with the sold-out matches that we have. »
But our home is Saputo Stadium. I like how he is. Respondent. People are close to us. We saw it [vendredi] with the atmosphere. When the stadium explodes, it’s something special. We want that in the playoffs.
Samuel Piette
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
There was a lot of atmosphere Friday night at the Saputo stadium.
CF Montreal held a public training in the Montreal enclosure, under the sun of this Saturday morning. Piette still had his pencil in his hands, he who had just signed a few autographs with supporters.
Just like Alistair Johnston, who appeared in front of the microphones a few moments later in the tunnel leading to the players’ locker room. The latter notably underlined the issues related to the synthetic surface of the Big O.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
CF Montreal players celebrate Friday night’s tying goal.
“Our style of play is maximized on a nice grass pitch,” he says. There are real limitations when playing at the Olympic Stadium. The surface affects your body and its recovery time. »
Then, like Samuel Piette, he praised the merits of the place where the CFM went to seek its qualification for the playoffs in extremis, the day before.
“It’s a small, intimate stadium that makes people feel like they’re above you. We can really benefit from it. »
If Gabriel Gervais says so
The players will have no difficulty convincing their president, at least.
PHOTO SARAH MONGEAU-BIRKETT, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
CF Montreal President Gabriel Gervais
In an interview with The Blue PocketGabriel Gervais mentioned that “in [ses] wildest dreams, [il] would see an MLS final at the Saputo stadium on November 5.
He also recalled that he “loves fall soccer”, citing his career as a university player with McGill and Syracuse.
Especially since at home, we have recently witnessed a definite home advantage in Canadian winter conditions. John Herdman’s selection won 2-1 against Mexico in November 2021 in Edmonton.
Alistair Johnston was there. And even despite how -16 degrees Celsius felt, the good Johnston was in shorts and short sleeves. Question to frighten the visitors, he says.
“It puts a doubt in the mind of the other team when they see their opponent buzzing, ready to play in these conditions. They say to themselves “my god, I can’t wait for this to be over”. »
“It would be a good advantage for us,” added the Canadian defender. We have a good contingent of Canadian players in our team. They are built for this weather. And we’ll see how Romell Quioto feels in November! »
Johnston, this “soccer nerd”
Before the first playoff games on October 15, CF Montreal still has four games to play.
Zachary Brault-Guillard, the hero of Friday’s game, mentioned that we should not “rest on our laurels”, despite qualifying.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, THE PRESS
Zachary Brault-Guillard celebrates his goal with his coach Wilfried Nancy.
To do this, Wilfried Nancy can continue to count on Alistair Johnston, his iron man. The Canadian has played every CFM game this season.
“This guy is incredible,” said the head coach with a smile on Friday. Nancy employed her three-position defender during this match against the Crew.
“He’s so smart,” he adds. He understands all the game concepts. I’m happy for him. He helps us a lot. I can play with him. And he sticks to that. »
These comments are communicated to the principal concerned the next day.
“Oh, good to hear that!” he retorts happily.
“It’s fun to play in different tactical schemes. I do it with Canada, too. But to do it here, and as a real soccer nerd, it inspires me. I love being in the field and trying different things. Thanks to the coaching staff for believing in me. »
There’s a reason the technical team is a strong contender for MLS honours, according to Johnston.
“They deserve it, with what they have achieved here. And with the players they have at their disposal. Compared to other teams, not the same amount of money is deployed here. But if you take a look at our locker room, you see that our team has been built from top to bottom. »
“We have confidence in our group. Not every team can say that. »