Statistics indicate that CF Montreal (1-0-3) has not suffered the defeat in four games since the beginning of October. And yet, Wilfried Nancy’s men find themselves at a disadvantage in the East Association standings, two weeks from the end of the season.
Seven days after recovering a spectacular point thanks to a last-second goal by Sunusi Ibrahim against the Philadelphia Union, CF Montreal had the same ugly trick played by Jozy Altidore and Toronto FC in a draw from 1-1 Saturday night at BMO Field.
This latest result leaves CF Montreal (11-10-10) tied for sixth with the New York Red Bulls and Atlanta United with 43 points. However, the Montreal team is ranked eighth, and therefore out of the playoff portrait, because it played one more game than these two clubs.
Last Saturday at Saputo Stadium, CF Montreal had the upper hand in the whole game and felt they deserved the three points.
If we apply the same logic, the Montreal team can consider themselves lucky and can say thank you to goalkeeper James Pantemis for this extra point in the standings on Saturday night, because Toronto FC played better.
From the moment Altidore was sent into the fray at the 66e minute, the premises dominated to the point of making seven shots towards Pantemis, including six on target. In less than 30 minutes, including stoppage time, it’s huge.
Alone, Altidore has attempted five, including four on target. By way of comparison, CF Montreal finished the game with seven shots attempted and only one on target.
The outcome of the match would probably have been different if Djordje Mihailovic, at the 76e minute, and Bjorn Johnsen, at the 90e, had been able to take advantage of great opportunities near the opposing net. In both cases, their shots were inaccurate.
Stopped by Pantemis on three occasions before, Altidore did not miss his in the 95e minute with the result that we know.
By her own admission, Nancy did not speak to her players within seconds of the final whistle. He intended to do it on Sunday instead.
Well aware of the disappointment, if not the frustration, they all felt, Nancy, a poised and thoughtful man, no doubt wanted to give himself as much time as possible to shape the message he wanted to deliver to his players to heal their wounds.
In front of journalists, Saturday night, Nancy sought to put the final result into perspective by recalling, among other things, that Toronto FC still relies on quality players, which is undeniable.
“What I remember is the whole game, except the ten seconds to the end because, if you put it in context, there were a lot of players who were living for the first time in a Derby in Toronto, ”said Nancy.
“I was satisfied, because it is a difficult match to play compared to the context and, before the last ten seconds, we did what we had to, even if we had ups and downs”, a he added.
Canadian championship
Nancy must now revive her squad in preparation for Wednesday’s Canadian Championship semifinal game in Hamilton and the last three games on the MLS schedule.
This MLS recovery will begin next Saturday in New Jersey against the Red Bulls, a team that has not lost since September 14 (6-0-2), which has conceded only three goals in its last eight outings. and who has four straight wins.
Two home games will follow, against Houston, a club already eliminated in the Western Conference, and Orlando City SC on the last Sunday of the season, November 7.
“We must continue to work. There are few games left. We are playing for a title in the Canadian Championship and we are still in the race for the playoffs. It’s tight. It’s going to be imperative to play a good game next Saturday, ”Zachary Brault-Guillard summed up.
For this young team who have played beyond expectations so far, it will be a test of their level of resilience.