Collect all trash – that of others too – before leaving the locker room. Don’t throw your shoes on the field when you arrive at practice: line them up neatly, instead.
Laurent Courtois established very specific instructions for CF Montreal players during the first week of training camp in Arizona. And they are delighted.
“He’s a very orderly guy, who pays attention to details,” Bryce Duke said by videoconference Monday afternoon.
These instructions, named as examples by the American player, do not directly influence the CFM’s playing style, of course. Rather, they serve to “bring the team together” and, eventually, could “be beneficial on the ground,” he believes.
But there is also Courtois’ “message”, which could not be more “clear”, according to him.
It’s only been a week, and we’re already playing some great soccer. All players understand their role. The coach speaks to us directly, he doesn’t beat around the bush. […] For players, it helps a lot in understanding his ideas.
Bryce Duke
Is this a characteristic that was missing from what you experienced last year with Hernán Losada, Bryce?
“All coaches are different,” he replies diplomatically. Everyone has their positives and negatives. But I find that what was missing last year was a clear answer. [Courtois] came and gave it to us. So players can no longer make excuses and say they didn’t get the message. He came in, explained it to us and showed us how he wanted us to play. It’s good for us. »
George Campbell speaks of a “fantastic week for everyone” in Arizona.
“A lot of high-intensity work,” explains the defender. It’s normal, it’s preseason, you have to get in shape. We received a lot of details and instructions from our coach. We’re all trying to work with him and do our best to establish a game plan and an identity this year. We started early, which is a good thing. Technically and tactically, it was a great week. »
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Laurent Courtois, new coach of CF Montreal
Unlike Duke, who arrived in April, Campbell experienced the 2023 preseason with Hernán Losada. There are indisputable differences, according to him.
“Our way of playing is completely different,” assures the 22-year-old American. Obviously, it takes time to learn it. […] With the ball, it will be completely different from last year. We will have great success playing an entertaining style of play. »
“The starting position is not guaranteed for anyone”
When he arrived in Montreal last April, Bryce Duke looked very good. His acquisition was followed by a six-match unbeaten streak for the club. But it got worse later. With hindsight, the attacking midfielder perhaps understood why.
“It was difficult to find a rhythm last year,” he says. I think I was substituted at half-time more than any other player. »
Checked, Duke was withdrawn after 45 minutes six times out of 24 starts, in all competitions. This is as many as Lassi Lappalainen, who on the other hand started 14 times.
“I also injured my hamstring slightly,” continues Duke. It made me miss two matches. This year my goal is to stay healthy. »
The young player was acquired by CF Montreal with the aim of developing him and, if possible, making him take the same path as his compatriot Djordje Mihailovic. How does he intend to ensure that he is part of the plans of Hernán Losada’s successor?
“We all start with a blank page,” believes Duke. With a new coach, the starting position is not guaranteed for anyone. It’s time to prove to yourself that you deserve to be there. That’s my mentality, and it’s everyone’s. »
On Campbell’s side, the arrival of Joaquín Sosa could confuse the issue in defense. In theory, the right central defender position should go to the American. Is he afraid of being snatched away by the upheaval that the Uruguayan could create on the ramparts?
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Joaquin Sosa
He also speaks of the “blank page”, or clean slate, linked to the arrival of Courtois. But otherwise, he can only offer the “best of himself every day”. “That’s how playing time is going to come.” »
A month and a half abroad
The club has been in Arizona since last Monday and will remain there until next Sunday. He will face Minnesota United on Saturday evening, in his first preseason match. The next day, return to Montreal for a week before leaving for Florida on February 4. The plan is to stay there until the day after the first game of the season, against Orlando, on February 24.
It’s still a month and a half abroad for this preseason. And then it will be six consecutive road games. We know that Laurent Courtois is happy to have this “internship” outside to spend as much time as possible with his players. But how do they experience it?
“I prefer to start the year abroad rather than having to make these long trips during the season,” says Campbell. I’m ready. »
Bryce Duke doesn’t mind either. But it must be said that from his videoconference chair in Tucson, Bryce Duke is only “a two-hour drive” from the family home, he who is originally from the Grand Canyon State.
“Arizona is where I was born and raised. It’s an environment and weather that are familiar to me. So I enjoy these moments here. »
His family will also be present for the clash against Minnesota on Saturday.
“I’ll be able to take advantage of it, because we don’t know when they will have the opportunity to come see me play! »