Even if the club remains on a defeat suffered on Saturday, CF Montreal can rejoice: Samuel Piette should soon return to the lineup, after three months of absence. “It’s huge,” thinks defender Joel Waterman.
“I hope he will be back on the bench this weekend. Obviously, it’s not my decision, but he will be back soon,” the 27-year-old Canadian player commented on Tuesday.
Samuel Piette, who plays in midfield, trained with his teammates in the morning at the Center Nutrilait, in oppressive heat.
“He’s a guy who’s been here a long time and knows the system,” Waterman said. He has a presence too. He does the dirty work for us and makes sure we all stay together. »
A pivotal sequence
Hernán Losada’s men begin a three-game-in-eight-day streak this weekend. On Saturday, the club will host Atlanta United at Stade Saputo, before visiting the Chicago Fire on July 12. The team will then return home to face Charlotte FC on July 15. The three opponents play in the Eastern Association.
In the standings, CF Montreal is six points behind Atlanta. The Montreal club leads Charlotte and Chicago, by two and three points respectively.
After these three meetings, MLS will be on hiatus for a month to make way for the Leagues Cup, a tournament between the 47 teams of MLS and the Mexican championship.
“We have to be sure to take points between now and the Leagues Cup. We want the nine points,” said Joel Waterman.
Little stability on the right
Mathieu Choinière trained alone on Tuesday. He injured his ankle on June 21 in a game against Nashville.
Since that date, Joel Waterman has evolved with three different teammates on the right. Zachary Brault-Guillard, Ariel Lassiter and Sean Rea took turns as midfielders in the right lane. Has the principal concerned struggled to adapt to all these changes?
“I wouldn’t say it’s difficult,” Waterman insisted. Guys have different strengths and weaknesses from each other. You have to play accordingly. The most important thing is to work together so that nothing goes to the right side. »
Brault-Guillard (Canada) and Aaron Herrera (Guatemala), also playing on the right, have been selected to participate in the Gold Cup, the continental cup for North America, Central America and the Caribbean, which is in full swing. until July 16. Montreal is therefore deprived of these two men for the next three games.
“I’m still a fan”
While Canada is playing the Gold Cup, both in Canada and the United States, Joel Waterman remains in Montreal. The back was not chosen by John Herdman, the Canadian coach. ” I’ve been disappointed. I thought I was going to be there,” he commented.
“But it was definitely a tough decision to make with all the talent we have in this country. So I’m still a fan [de l’équipe nationale] “, he added.
Canada is currently third in its group at the Gold Cup, having drawn its first two matches, against Guadeloupe and Guatemala.