Some CF Montreal fans seem to have thrown in the towel already, but the players are determined to curry favor with them.
Less than two days after suffering another bitter setback abroad, Hernan Losada’s men resumed training at Center Nutrilait on Monday and under the watchful eye of Olivier Renard, vice-president and head of the sporting direction of the Bleu-blanc-noir.
The scene was different from last Thursday at the CF Montreal training ground. The ice had been swapped for the lawn and a good wind was blowing during the exercises. A wind that could represent a metaphor for what is to come for the team. At least, that’s what she probably wants.
Following a 4-0 loss to the New England Revolution, the Montreal squad entered week eight of MLS action ranked 15th and last in the Eastern Conference in points (three) , goals scored (three), goals against (16) and differential (minus-13).
CF Montreal (1-5-0) lost their five away games this season without scoring a single goal and had to play 11-10 to claim their only victory of the campaign, at the Olympic Stadium, they almost a month ago. At a time when fans seemed to still have hope of seeing their favorites achieve great things.
Play with pride
For veteran midfielder Victor Wanyama, now is the time for him and his team-mates to play with pride to get maximum points.
“Everyone works hard and fights for the club and for the fans. I assure you that there is no one jumping on the field and just playing to play. We play for the pride of the team and the fans. Everyone is here for that. Everyone is focused on that and on improving,” insisted Wanyama.
The good news for the Montreal players is that they could right the boat at home. They will stay away from the opposing fields for a while, while their next three games, including the one against Vaughan Azzurri in the Canadian Championship, will take place at Saputo Stadium.
“You have to pull yourself together, but it’s not easy when you’ve just played two away games and you’ve just conceded a lot of goals. We have to do well in front of our fans, it’s an obligation. They have confidence in us even if the results are not those currently expected. If we win our home games, we will move up the table. It’s fine to say it, but now we have to act,” said defender Zachary Brault-Guillard.
A complicated start to the season
The CF Montreal color carriers know that the start of the season is often complicated. The weather may impose a lot of travel and does not always offer optimal conditions for training. The team also has to play several matches abroad and the bodies of the players are put to the test.
Beyond the injuries, it is also the changes in routine and the lack of stability that add to the pitfalls of a team that already has enough.
“You always have to leave. When it’s not at the Olympic Stadium, it’s at Cégep Marie-Victorin. Then we train here [au stade Saputo] and we go abroad. We do not have our fixed ground, our routine, expressed Brault-Guillard. You start your preparation in the gym, you stop, you have to spend 20 to 30 minutes on the bus and then you have to resume the warm-up. It’s not easy for the body, with all the injuries we’ve had.”
CF Montreal has been desperate for offensive creativity and ways to generate offense since the start of the season and Brault-Guillard’s qualities could give them the spark they need in enemy territory.
Relegated to the role of substitute for Alistair Johnston during the last campaign, Brault-Guillard still managed to score four goals, including the one that confirmed the place in the playoffs for the Bleu-blanc-noir. This season, the 24-year-old defender has only had one start and he has played just 170 minutes.
“It’s not up to me to decide if I deserve another start, but I’m giving my all. I’m trying to get back to my qualities from last year, when I was scoring and making a difference,” said Brault-Guillard, who spoke with assistant coach Eduardo Sebrango after practice. I need to try more things. In one-on-one battles, I have to be more confident in my abilities and push a little more like I used to.”
Besides the long-term injuries, Mason Toye did not participate in practice due to what was described as a knee injury on Saturday. Lassi Lappalainen (left leg) ran alone for a few minutes before leaving the field while Jojea Kwizera (hamstring) trained with a physical trainer.