Posted at 8:00 a.m.
CF Montreal: building on 2021
Last season, MLS analysts predicted a season of misery at CF Montreal. With an inexperienced head coach hired a few weeks before the start of the schedule, he was seen languishing at the bottom of the MLS standings.
Not only did Wilfried Nancy’s men confuse the skeptics, they also used these negative estimates to create an identity for themselves. Result: a thrilling playoff race that ended in the last game of the season, as well as a Canadian Championship title.
But this year, CF Montreal will be expected. This does not prevent him from being a contender for a place in the playoffs at the end of 34 games.
Wilfried Nancy’s playing philosophy is now firmly in place. The players, who are part of a largely unchanged workforce, know their roles and adhere to the theories of their technician. We improved the backbone in defense with the acquisition of Alistair Johnston, a real pillar for Canada internationally.
The real questions at CF Montreal concern the attack. Mason Toye, who missed the final months of last season but recovered in the off-season, is on the sidelines again. The one who had scored 7 goals in 14 games, including 10 starts, could even be absent for a long time.
Nancy still has two experienced strikers at her disposal in Romell Quioto and now Kei Kamara. But it is the depth at this position that is lacking.
Attacking midfielder Djordje Mihailovic, named the team’s MVP in 2021, is keen to score more goals. Except that his coach does not want him to lose his game-making flair either: he had beaten Ignacio Piatti’s assist record, with 16.
PHOTO FRANÇOIS ROY, THE PRESS
Djordje Mihailovic Named Team Most Valuable Player in 2021
Otherwise, the young Sunusi Ibrahim is not bad, but still lacks experience and finishing. And he is injured. Just like Ivy Brisma, drafted in the SuperDraft in January and who had had a good training camp. Bjørn Johnsen was the whipping boy for fans in 2021 and was leaving with good intentions in 2022, but he has suffered badly from COVID-19 and is still struggling to recover.
And if CF Montreal completely dominated their clash against Santos Laguna last Wednesday in the Champions League, we have to admit that MLS teams will not be as generous with their defensive space on the field.
Despite everything, the context is conducive to a good evolution for CF Montreal. The club’s project, which has already brought in youngsters from the Academy like Rida Zouhir and Ismaël Koné with great success in the Champions League, is very interesting. The team is also filled with Quebec and Canadian players.
A qualification in the playoffs is not only possible, it is also the ultimate objective of this season.
Saving stars?
PHOTO LLUIS GENE, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Italian Lorenzo Insigne will join Toronto FC in July from Napoli.
The MLS feeds on big names to build a reputation abroad. It was served in the off-season.
Italian European champion Lorenzo Insigne will join Toronto FC in July from Napoli.
Swiss international Xherdan Shaqiri has left Olympique Lyonnais to join the Chicago Fire.
How will these two transfers change the trajectory of these two teams?
In the case of Insigne, the challenge will be above all to keep the club afloat before his arrival. TFC was moribund last year, finishing the season 13and rank in the East. Reconstruction is underway, but not quite complete.
It is true that the club has changed a lot since then. The arrival of coach emeritus Bob Bradley – who joins his son, midfielder Michael Bradley – should start the team off on a good footing. The acquisition of Designated Player Carlos Salcedo should also help close some gaps on defense.
Except that Toronto starts from afar. You have to build a club around a player who doesn’t arrive until mid-season. Will the TFC hold up until then?
In Chicago, we want to ward off the bad luck of recent years by taking out the checkbook. Xherdan Shaqiri therefore arrives with the label of the most expensive transfer in the history of the franchise, or 7.5 million dollars. His association with center forward Kacper Przybylko, acquired from the Philadelphia Union for the tidy sum of 1.15 million, will be decisive. Przybylko has scored 12 goals and 3 assists for Union in 2021.
On paper, owner Joe Mansueto’s winter investment bodes well. Will it be enough to qualify his club for the playoffs for just a third times in 12 years?
Inter Miami Take 2
PHOTO WENDELL CRUZ, USA TODAY SPORTS
Inter Miami striker Gonzalo Higuain (9) scored 12 goals in 30 games last season.
Inter Miami’s first two years in MLS were, shall we say… hectic. In addition to two seasons to be thrown away in terms of performance and ranking, David Beckham’s club had to be sanctioned for transfers that violated MLS rules. In particular that of the French international Blaise Matuidi.
But in 2022, Miami is making a fresh start. The club has been greatly restructured. We acquired 15 players, while 17 took the opposite route.
The two biggest names to have adopted the Florida sun? Midfielder Jean Mota, a Brazilian from Santos FC, and American defender DeAndre Yedlin. The latter arrives from Galatasaray, Turkey, as a free agent.
In Miami, the biggest asset remains the Argentinian striker Gonzalo Higuain. He scored 12 goals in 30 games last season. English coach Phil Neville has to find a way to give him the ball as often as possible.
And it will go through offensive thrusts from full-backs like Yedlin. And by a continuation of the performances of the Brazilian Gregore in midfield. He was one of the team’s only bright spots in 2021.
On the premise of our analysis of the biggest storylines in MLS this season, a team as reformed as Inter Miami ranks quite a bit at the top.
Repeat offenders?
PHOTO STEPH CHAMBERS, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
New York City FC won the MLS Cup last season.
Two of the most dominant teams of the past year grab our attention as the season begins. There are the defending MLS Cup champions, New York City FC. And the best team of the season, the New England Revolution.
In New York, a sword of Damocles lurks above the club: the almost inevitable departure of Valentín Castellanos (19 goals, 8 assists), top scorer in MLS in 2021. NYCFC has so far managed to retain its striker in the city. If the Pigeons want to get a second title in two years, they will have to find a way to keep it until November. Otherwise, the team looks pretty much like last year and remains among the favourites.
The Revolution set a new MLS points record last year. Up front, the departure of Canadian Tajon Buchanan to Club Brugge, Belgium will certainly have an impact. But the creative force emanating from Carles Gil is still there, just like that of Gustavo Bou. The Revs have additionally added United States international Jozy Altidore, as well as an experienced midfielder in Sebastian Lletget. The challenge in New England will be to wrap up an eventual good season in such good performances in the playoffs, and to win a very first MLS Cup in franchise history.
Say hello to Charlotte FC
Make no mistake: Charlotte FC’s inaugural season in MLS, delayed a year due to the pandemic, will be no picnic. At least, on the ground.
“For the moment, we are screwed [we’re screwed] “Launched head coach Miguel Angel Ramirez a fortnight before the start of his club’s season. It was about building his squad and the players at his disposal to start the year.
The intrigue here is less about where the club will sit in the standings, and more about seeing what cultural impact the team will have in their city. A “participant director” (chief fan officer), who will have to listen to supporters, make the club known in the region and establish a direct link with the community.
Obviously, the organization wants to establish itself in Charlotte before aiming for sporting success.