80e minute, Sunday. Under the warm ovations of the crowd, Mathieu Choinière entered the field to replace Ismaël Koné. Quebecers for Quebecers.
Posted at 5:10 p.m.
Choinière joined the contingent of five other Canadian players already on the lawn of the Saputo stadium. James Pantemis, Kamal Miller, Alistair Johnston, Joel Waterman and Samuel Piette all started.
We are talking here about the pillars of a team that finished second in the Eastern Conference in MLS and was on its way to winning a convincing first playoff game.
Local talent at CF Montreal, obviously, we believe in it. And, above all, he pays it back.
“It’s great,” noted goaltender Pantemis on Tuesday at Center Nutrilait. It demonstrates the quality not only of the country, but of our province. It motivates the young people of the academy, but also those who watch at home, on TV, or in the stadium. »
When he speaks of “total motivation” for these young Quebecers and Canadians, the jailer knows what he is talking about.
“I remember very well the time when I went to the stadium as a spectator, he says. And now I have the chance to play for the club at the highest level of competition for us.
“This is our moment, this is our generation. I think it will explode in the next few years. »
“It gives us wings”
We must credit here the work of sports director Olivier Renard and coach Wilfried Nancy. The first identifies nuggets, such as Joel Waterman and Ismaël Koné. The second shapes them and gives them a platform to express themselves.
Of course, the Canadians are not the only authors of their club’s success on the field. But it is undeniable that the identity of Nancy’s troupe brings a particular enthusiasm.
This enthusiasm is transmitted to the counters. On Monday, the club set a record day for ticket sales ahead of next Sunday’s game against New York City FC.
“Fans like to see Quebecers on the field,” said Mathieu Choinière. The more there are, the more people it will bring to the stadium. »
Like the sport in question, the relationship with fans is a two-player game.
Since Sunday, all the Montreal actors have noted the “incredible atmosphere” emanating from the stands.
“I don’t think I’ve done a warm-up in front of so many people in my life! “says Pantemis.
Choinière, meanwhile, cited the advertising campaign of a well-known energy drink company.
“Since I have been playing at the club, this is the moment when I feel that the community is most behind us, underlined the Quebec milieu. It gives us wings for the playoffs. »
A “happy problem” at the counters
This success at the box office did not come without problems: several supporters, including regulars of Section 132, lamented Monday that they were unable to obtain tickets. That the sale had started before the scheduled noon hour. And that resellers had easily monopolized seats in large quantities.
PHOTO DENIS GERMAIN, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
Several CF Montreal supporters complained on Monday that they were unable to obtain tickets for Sunday’s game.
“The demand yesterday was exceptional,” noted the club’s communications director, Patrick Vallée. Never seen. We are very happy with that. »
He notes that all season ticket holders “had the chance to decline their playoff ticket” before they went on sale at noon.
But faced with demand, CF Montreal found itself faced with a “happy problem” which did not make everyone happy.
The club “deplores” the illegal resale, immediately underlines Patrick Vallée. “But it’s hard to [la] control,” he adds, giving the perhaps more or less fictitious example of an individual who buys nine tickets alone, the maximum allowed. And who asks his relatives to do the same at the same time.
“We will investigate to see if we can limit when it happens. »
The club is a partner with licensed retailers. These have a “limited quantity” of tickets.
“It’s legal, controlled. These are revenues for the club. Even when things are not going so well, they take the risk of buying tickets in advance and reselling them. But these are not astronomical quantities. They didn’t buy the whole South Stand. »
Regarding 132 and the IMFC Collective, as the chapter was closed for the majority of the 2022 campaign, its supporters did not have season tickets. They are, however, among the club’s most passionate supporters, making tifos and practicing chants in anticipation of matches.
An email with a “direct link” to purchase tickets ahead of the presale was sent to grandstand supporters, Vallée said.
“They either didn’t see it, or didn’t share the email internally in their group. It’s a bit unfortunate. It frustrated a few people in their group, unfortunately. »