In such circumstances, a club in disarray like CF Montreal must take what comes. A shutout and a 0-0 draw at home against Nashville doesn’t count as a win in the standings, but it feels good everywhere else.
There was will in the duels. There were defensive plays made with heart. It’s not much, but it gives something to build on after now eight games without a victory, and only one victory in 13 games, including the elimination in the Canadian championship.
“It’s just the standard,” said Laurent Courtois. We don’t want it to go below that anymore. »
The head coach has seemed dismayed in his recent media outings, especially immediately after defeats. On Saturday he was a little more relaxed. Even smiling, on occasion.
There is surely a link with this: a few moments before his speech to journalists, Courtois spent several minutes observing the supporters of the IMFC Collective on the pitch. The scene was special. The coach, in silence, in front of noisy fans, still in their section, while the stadium empties. He then went to meet them, chatted and appeared to sign a few items.
Un scénario qui contraste nettement avec celui d’il y a à peine trois jours, lorsque les deux grands groupes de supporters ont fait une grève du silence en première demie pour manifester leur mécontentement face à l’effort déployé par les joueurs depuis un mois.
J’ai vraiment kiffé de les voir s’exprimer comme ça. J’ai pris beaucoup de plaisir, même si on aurait voulu leur donner autre chose. […] There is recognition. I wanted them to see that it was seen and appreciated. The guys thank them, it touched us all. We can’t wait to be able to give them more.
Laurent Courtois
“We hope it clicks”
The truth is that the much sought-after victory against an unenterprising Nashville was within reach on this festive Saturday evening around the Saputo stadium, while the Fuego Fuego festival was in full swing.
On the field, Montreal missed all its opportunities, several of which were golden. And that falls into the category of frustrations.
PHOTO PETER MCCABE, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Mathieu Choinière fights with Walker Zimmerman for possession of the ball.
A breakaway from Bryce Duke accompanied by Jules-Anthony Vilsaint, at 51e, ruined by a pass through the legs of a visitors defender, clearly illustrates the trend of this meeting. Just like this 5 against 2 which ends with a loose shot from Vilsaint in the 58the. The Quebec striker was not successful, despite a multitude of good chances.
“We know that there are center situations where we lack precision,” noted Courtois. We must continue to work again and again. […] We tell them to breathe, that we have more time than we think, and to connect with the pass [au lieu de tirer], it’s often interesting. We hope it clicks. »
A “brilliant” Waterman, according to Courtois
We talked about the shutout, and it’s not trivial. Because Montreal has been giving away goals for a month. In MLS, it is at least three goals allowed per match during the month of May. As such, Montreal comes second among the worst defenses on the circuit.
In this sense, Saturday night, Joel Waterman had one of his good outings this season. He was the one who provided us with the only real highlight of the first half. After one of Jonathan Sirois’ two big errors when handing over the ball, offering it as a gift to Nashville, notably in the 33rde, Joel Waterman played hero by blocking Shaffelburg’s shot at the goal line. In doing so, he hit the post, and appeared to lose his breath instantly.
“This year, I have more responsibilities compared to last year,” explained Sirois. It puts me in different situations, often under pressure. Most of the time I do pretty well. But today there were two situations where I made a bad decision. It is reality. Afterwards, Joel saves me, and in a certain sense, it’s the defensive collective spirit that comes to help. In other matches, it could have caused a goal, clearly. »
“In general, I want to continue playing like that,” he adds, referring to the playing philosophy that Courtois wishes to establish. Playing on foot, finding passes. This is how we want to play. »
PHOTO PETER MCCABE, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois catches the ball.
This sacrificial action by Waterman can be beneficial for a team that has been said to be cruelly lacking in commitment repeatedly in recent weeks. She showed up with a defensive blunder, another one, but still. The kind of action that should establish the “standard” that Courtois speaks of.
Joel suffered in Toronto, but I think he has been extraordinary since the start of the season, in terms of professionalism and competitiveness. He is someone you can count on in difficult times. […] Tonight he was brilliant, I think.
Laurent Courtois
The game was not spectacular. The end of the match, played without urgency. We feel the confidence of this fragile group, the dam ready to give way at each adverse opportunity. But for once, CF Montreal was not downgraded.
We put that in the column of small victories.
RISING
Joel Waterman
Well, some will say. Waterman, at the center of the defense, has been the symbol of the CFM’s defensive shortcomings in the last month. But on Saturday evening, he was solid, on the lookout, falling back with intensity. Montreal needed such a performance from the man who claims to become the general of this team on the ramparts.
FALLING
Jules-Anthony Vilsaint
He’s still young. He is the best striker available right now. Jules-Anthony Vilsaint had a number of chances against Nashville, several very good ones, but they always went wide of the target. Thus, of the 13 shots attempted by Montreal, only 2 were on target. He must do better. To see his reaction when leaving the game in favor of Sunusi Ibrahim in the 70thewe suppose he knows it very well.