There’s a hint of a big night brewing at Stade Saputo for Friday’s game.
Posted at 5:16 p.m.
CF Montreal could confirm their place in the playoffs with a win or a draw against the Columbus Crew.
The team is fired up after a resounding victory in the Canadian derby in Toronto last Sunday.
And section 132, occupied by the Ultras until this year, will once again be filled with fans rocking the enclosure.
With a club that is only breaking records in 2022.
The challenge of this match is felt on both sides. For the Crew, it is a question of consolidating its qualification in series, him which occupies the 6e rank, with 40 points. Two units from being excluded.
“It’s the first time we’ve been in a position where Montreal can kill a team’s hopes of qualifying for the playoffs,” commented Samuel Piette during Wednesday’s press briefing.
“It has always been the opposite. We were the ones fighting for a place. It feels good to be the opposite. […] We push to be as high as possible in the standings. »
Rudy Camacho is essentially going through the same thing as his captain.
I’ve been here for five years, and this is the first time it’s happened. Kudos to Will and the staff for putting this together.
Rudy Camacho
“It’s nice to be respected by our opponents when we enter the field. When we see them defending the whole game, it’s fun for us. We will try to go all the way and scare everyone. »
“A fucking competitor”
Once again this week, it was question of the esprit de corps that there is between the members of this formation.
Starting with the undeniable contribution of Kei Kamara. Because in addition to his goals and assists – the number six is displayed in both columns – the 38-year-old is one of the fine personalities of this team.
“It’s one of the good locker rooms I’ve seen,” the 17-year MLS veteran said Wednesday.
PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
There is this camaraderie. And thanks to that, everyone fights for his neighbour.
Kei Kamara
Does Kamara bring a leadership that this team lacked last year?
“Yes and no,” believes Piette. Several players bring their share of leadership. Kei brings his. His experience. Despite his age, he can [s’amuser]. He is immature in a good way. He joins a little everyone in the locker room by bringing this joie de vivre there. »
Wilfried Nancy, meanwhile, does not go half-heartedly.
“Excuse me for the term, begins the head coach. But I have to say it. He’s a fucking competitor. »
“He takes his role as it should. The tasks are well defined. He knows what I expect from him, whether I give him 2 or 96 minutes. I cited him as an example in the last match. He’s a guy who, at his age, still does the shopping. He’s having a blast, really. He likes what we put in place. He takes a lot of fun. And it reflects on the team. »
Watch out for the Crew
CF Montreal has fond memories of its last match against the Crew. It was in Columbus, on August 3rd. After a long delay due to the weather, the CFM came back from behind by scoring two goals at the very end of the match, and winning 2-1.
PHOTO JAY LAPRETE, ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVES
Lucas Zelarayan (left)
Once again, the Bleu et noir will have to be wary of the young Colombian star, striker Cucho Hernández. And of course Argentinian veteran Lucas Zelarayán. The former has scored 8 goals since joining MLS in July. The second has 8, in addition to having accumulated 10 assists in 24 games.
No matter who is in front of them, however, CF Montreal players do not deviate from their philosophy.
Yes, we watched some videos of Columbus. But we are at home. We want to apply our style of play, we want to have the ball.
Mathieu Choiniere
Wilfried Nancy talks about “managing the moments of the game”.
“Columbus has knocked us off balance several times because their striker doesn’t defend all the time. It’s a strategy. When we lose the ball, they are very good in the counter-attack. They have very fast players,” the head coach pointed out.
“I want my players to be aggressive, but calm. »