The positive streak is short, of course, and everything can still collapse. After all, a defeat against the worst team in the East a few weeks ago can perfectly serve as a preamble to a defeat against the worst team in the West – and in the league – this Saturday.
And the 2024 edition of CF Montreal is never far from the precipice, it must be remembered.
But between the 5-0 slap against New England at the Saputo stadium suffered in August and this clash against San Jose on Saturday evening, Laurent Courtois’ men seem to have skillfully negotiated an important hairpin turn.
In September, it was three games without defeat – including two victories – in addition to a group that seemed re-energized in its race for the playoffs.
“To have been able to bounce back like the guys did after the disappointments we suffered” is very strong, agreed Courtois, Friday morning, at the Nutrilait Center.
Sometimes we do surprisingly disappointing things when everything is within our reach. And sometimes they really amaze me in the resilience and the quality, and the competitive spirit. We alternate between the two a little, but we hope to continue on the last wave.
Laurent Courtois, head coach of CF Montreal
The technician is looking for that elusive “consistency” which his team has lacked this year. But since the last three matches, and especially the two home victories, finally, a starting lineup has emerged from its squad.
And it starts with defense, said goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois last Wednesday. The defensive trio has been unchanged this month: Fernando Álvarez, Gabriele Corbo and George Campbell, from left to right, have stabilized the defensive curtain.
PHOTO ERIC BOLTE, USA TODAY SPORTS ARCHIVES
Jonathan Sirois
In this regard, the CFM “is more pragmatic,” said Sirois. “We try less to overdo things. When we need to clear the ball, whether from a corner or a throw-in, I think there is no more hesitation. »
This defensive success came as Joel Waterman returned injured from his call-up to the Canadian national team. Upon his return from injury, against Chicago on Saturday, the man who started 20 times in 21 MLS games this year started the match on the bench.
“These are good problems,” Courtois noted that Waterman’s return to health was being questioned in this context. [On veut de la] stability, but stability in performance. Not because you have to. »
Basically, what he means here is that the most deserving will keep their place in his eleven. A signal, in veiled terms, that the status of Joel Waterman in the team – he has worn the captain’s armband several times in the absence of Samuel Piette – does not give him a guaranteed place if others have the confidence of the coach.
On the other hand, the next week will be busy, recalls Courtois. “With Atlanta and Charlotte [mercredi et samedi prochains]both on the move, both on synthetics”, Waterman will certainly be called upon.
Clark and Duke at the center of success
There is defense, but there is the rest, too.
Sirois also spoke of increased “cohesion” and “communication.” “The big difference in these three games is that we had a solid game plan, which we applied. »
The group “sat down together” and had “an honest conversation” after big losses to the Revolution and Cincinnati, Tom Pearce told us on Friday.
“We had to change things and regain our confidence,” he said. Start enjoying soccer again, and playing as a team. We did well in the matches, training is going better too. Confidence is higher. The staff believes in our abilities to play our way and make the playoffs. »
Sirois, Álvarez, Corbo, Campbell, Piette, Saliba, Edwards (or Pearce), Marshall-Rutty, Duke, Clark, Martínez: this twice victorious formation should be relaunched this Saturday against the Earthquakes, Courtois confirmed to us on Friday.
PHOTO ERIC BOLTE, USA TODAY SPORTS ARCHIVES
Caden Clark (23) and Bryce Duke (10)
And at the center of the Impact’s recent successes, the Caden Clark-Bryce Duke duo in attacking midfield appears to be the creative association that this team has lacked all season. Clark has two goals and two assists in five games since arriving in Montreal. Happy as a child at Christmas, the newcomer says he has “never had so much fun playing in a team”.
“I’ve known Caden for a while,” Duke said. We played together [l’académie du FC Barcelone, en Arizona]. […] Having an extra player to play with, who has almost the same ideas and skills as me, helps a lot. »
Courtois suggests that the positions “around the 9”, i.e. the attacker in position, “are very demanding”. Clark and Duke “have that ability to repeat efforts,” according to the coach.
“The difference right now, and this has been a bit of the theme of the season: there’s a little too much waste in Bryce. He must learn to delay, to secure a little more. And there are those key forward passing moments where he needs to do better. But just their ability to repeat and be intense in their forward or backward efforts is very important to us. »
CF Montréal faces the San Jose Earthquakes at Saputo Stadium on Saturday evening at 7:30 p.m. The match will be broadcast on Apple TV.