The day after its first match of the 2024 season, which ended 0-0 against Orlando City, CF Montreal has something to be proud of if we stick to the coach’s words. -chef Laurent Courtois.
The mission that faced the Montrealers was not easy, since the Florida team finished the 2023 campaign in second place in the Eastern Association. Nevertheless, Courtois said he was satisfied with his team’s performance.
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“Tonight’s result characterizes how we want to be known,” said the man who was in his first match as head instructor in MLS at a press conference after the match. […] Credit to the hearts of the players and staff for preparing them for this.”
“I found that in sequence we produced quality play,” continued Courtois. […] We deserve this point, they are one of the greatest teams in the league and we are proud of what we have achieved.
That said, the Frenchman knows that there are still aspects of the game to improve, but this first performance of the year is encouraging.
“It’s a very interesting shutout from this opponent, it’s really interesting. There is something to build on, and we are still far in terms of physical preparation from what the guys can do in terms of potential, so it is encouraging.
Ignore the noise from the corridors
Few observers saw the Bleu-Blanc-Noir having a positive result in Orlando, but Courtois wanted to ensure that his group was not really focusing on the rumors in the corridors.
“I don’t care who agrees or disagrees,” he said. Even if we had lost in those conditions, my observation would have been the same. […] I just don’t want us to get the wrong goals.”
“It’s what we control, our actions, and not what others will say about us. Even if offside had not been called [en fin de match] and they had scored this goal, it would have been the same observation. We wouldn’t have hit ourselves just because we lost 1-0 with a performance like that.”
CF Montreal will return to action on Saturday against FC Dallas at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.