Matias Coccaro certainly wants to contribute to CF Montreal’s success, but to do so, he must give a little more on a daily basis.
Coccaro tied the game late in the second half and the Bleu-blanc-noir earned a 1-1 draw with the Vancouver Whitecaps on Saturday night in front of a tenth straight sellout crowd at Stade Saputo.
The Uruguayan has been the subject of much discussion in recent weeks, and not always for the right reasons. About ten days ago, the striker left the training area at the Nutrilait Center in a rage before being accompanied by an assistant. Against the Philadelphia Union last Saturday, head coach Laurent Courtois simply decided to leave him in his suit in the stands.
After this meeting, Courtois declared that Coccaro had “a lot of work to do and a step to take to come towards the others.”
The message may have gotten through against the Whitecaps. Coccaro was involved as soon as he entered the match, in the 62nd minutee minute, and he settled in front of an opposing defender to tie the game with a nice header in the 79th minute.e.
“We all want to see our players be successful. We want to see our players be exploited to their full potential, but you have to put in the work every day. You have to work and persevere. Tonight, we saw a little something interesting,” explained the head coach.
Between two questions, Courtois even allowed himself to slip in a little “it was about time”, which said a lot. And this, even if he insisted on the fact that he did not think he had had harsh words towards his 26-year-old attacker.
It was also time for the Montreal attack to get this important goal, after it had wasted several golden opportunities in the second half.
At times, it was the finishing that was lacking. At others, it was perhaps slightly misplaced bursts of selflessness that stifled the attacks in the penalty area.
Since the start of the campaign, Courtois has often asked his players to make the extra pass to create a better scoring opportunity, but they must also recognise when to shoot.
“It’s the eternal debate. When do you want to connect that extra pass and when is it too much,” he analyzed. “Sometimes I found that we lacked the intention to just serve in the box and create something chaotic, and not always be too perfect.”
Josef Martinez could have been the one receiving these services, but he was difficult to reach in the first half, while he was acting as a center forward. His non-verbal on the field was at odds with the second half.
“He’s not getting the shifts we’d like. He knows how to move very well. I’m hopeful, today, tomorrow, next week, that the guys will be able to connect in both halves, and not just one like tonight. He’ll be better served and he knows when to trigger or delay,” Courtois said.
CF Montreal (5-9-8) has still managed to remain undefeated in MLS in its last six home outings (2-0-4). It has not lost in front of its fans since May 15, 2024.
Brian White scored for the Whitecaps (9-7-5), who have not lost in their last three games (2-0-1).
Midfielder Victor Wanyama made his first start in nearly a month and wore the captain’s armband. Courtois said Friday that Wanyama had refused the armband on June 19 due to a misunderstanding.
CF Montreal will return to action on Saturday night when they host Atlanta United at Stade Saputo.
Many opportunities
Both teams were active with the ball in the first quarter of an hour of play, but the attacks were well contained before arriving in the penalty area.
Montreal orchestrated the first real scoring opportunity of the match, in the 19the minute, but Martinez’s deflection did not deceive the vigilance of goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka.
The visitors replied just a minute later. Fafa Picault edged past George Campbell and lobbed the ball over Jonathan Sirois, but it hit the crossbar before leaving the pitch.
The Whitecaps did not miss their next opportunity, in the 29th minute.e minute. Ryan Gauld made a nice run down the left and brought the ball into the box. Defenders Joaquin Sosa and Fernando Alvarez appeared to lack communication, allowing White to thread the needle.
CF Montreal stepped up their game in the second half, but lacked finishing.
Lappalainen first beat Takoaka, but not the post to his left. Then, Sunusi Ibrahim also missed a golden opportunity a few meters from the net. A few moments later, the Bleu-blanc-noir players were a little too generous in the box and no one was able to shoot towards the goal. In the meantime, Alvarez came to save the day at the goal line to prevent the Whitecaps from doubling their lead.
At 70e minute, it was Ruan who escaped on the right side, but he waited until he was too close to the net before attempting his shot.
The efforts of the local team were finally rewarded in the 79th minute.e minute. At full speed down the right wing, Ruan delivered a cross into the penalty area which found Coccaro’s head. The ball was partially blocked by Takaoka before moving the ropes.
Montreal came within inches of adding two more points to their haul in stoppage time, but Martinez’s header flirted with the far post but didn’t enter the net.