Presentation of trophies | A ceremony in the image of the CF Montreal season

Do you remember when you had an outing in high school to go to the theater? A transgression to the routine that energized and ignited – perhaps even too much in the eyes and ears of the actors. It’s a bit of this atmosphere that reigned at the Nutrilait Center, Thursday afternoon, for the CF Montreal trophy ceremony.

Jean-Francois Teotonio
The Press

Without perhaps wanting it, veteran Victor Wanyama played the inevitable little tanning within the group of players.

The journalists were gathered in the last row of seats in the small amphitheater. Jason Di Tullio’s family was seated right in front. They were invited for the very first edition of the trophy presentation which bears the name of the former player and assistant coach of the club.

CFM’s full line-up, along with its technical staff, filled the other seats.

We start by naming the finalists for the award for the club’s best defensive player. This, and that of the player par excellence, is determined 50% by the titles of Players of the Match during the season and 50% by the technical staff of the club.

And when Wanyama hears his name, he stands up. He now thinks he has won the title.

Which sows hilarity in the room. Wilfried Nancy, in the front row, turns around and puts her hand to her mouth, her eyes wide open, as if to say “oops! ” laughing.

Then follow the names of Alistair Johnston, who in turn pretends to get up to imitate his captain, and Joel Waterman. The final selection is decided by a vote of the supporters. And it is Johnston who becomes the recipient.

The defender makes a brief speech on stage. ” Not bad ! “, Launches Kamal Miller, showing his phone: he timed his speech at 10.5 seconds. Johnston is recognized as a very talkative boy.

Romell Quioto then won the MVP award. Victor Wanyama – him again – and Djordje Mihailovic were the finalists. The Honduran was the author of a season of 15 goals and 6 assists. This is the second Giuseppe-Saputo trophy for him since his arrival in Montreal, after that of 2020.

The presentation of the Jason Di Tullio trophy to player Tomas Giraldo, who has been treating injuries for two years, was more sober and more emotional.

Johnston’s “Progress”

You were told that Alistair Johnston was talkative. Journalists are not going to complain about it.

“It’s good to know that people voted for me, he begins by saying in front of the media. But at the same time, anyone on our defensive line could have won it. Whether it’s Victor or Sam Piette. It is a prize that goes to the collective. »

The defender’s adaptation to his arrival in Montreal was difficult at first. But here he is with the title of the best player in defensive tasks. All the same.

“It proves that if you put in the work, good things will happen. »

“The coaching staff was very clear with me that I was going to have to kind of forget the way I learned to play. As a defender, I had to instantly think about how fast I could move the ball. Here I had to learn to wait until an attacker stepped on my toe before passing. […] It took a while, but I thank the staff for believing in me. »

Romell Quioto had the best season of his professional career in 2022. What worked so well?

“The coach’s device helped me a lot and highlighted me, replied the striker through an interpreter. I brought water to the mill with my state of mind, my mentality. »

“Symbolic”

For President Gabriel Gervais, it was “symbolic” to present the prizes at the end of the season, to mark a line before the start of the playoffs.

“We decided as a team to go with this formula, he explains in front of the microphones. We wanted to do it before the playoffs to really highlight the work in the regular season. »

And justly. The first playoff game since 2016 will take place Sunday evening at 8 p.m. at Stade Saputo. The president indicates that “it’s quite a full house”, already.

“It will be difficult against Orlando, judge Gervais, cautious. We’re going one game at a time. »