On the eve of his duel against FC Cincinnati, a question comes to mind: what is the real face of CF Montreal? That of the team that has just won six games in a row in all competitions, or that of the one that lost five of its first six games of the season by shutout?
“She’s the one who just won six games online! “Laughed striker Chinonso Offor in a videoconference on Tuesday.
“It’s a combination of so many factors (which explain our failures at the start of the season), he added more seriously. We had several away games, long trips and several injuries. Looks like they were two different clubs. Now, with the majority of our players back, everything seems to be back to normal. »
This does not mean that everything is perfect, recalled the head coach, Hernan Losada.
“There are always things to improve. We are not the best team in the league because we have just won our last six games, as we were not the worst team in the league at the start of the season, he underlined. They are two completely different situations: at the start of the season we were struggling, we played five of our first six away games and we were experiencing completely different circumstances from the other teams in training as well, due to the climate and many other factors. »
Not to mention the many injuries that plagued his training.
“Virtually the whole team is back except for Sam (Samuel Piette) and (Mason) Toye,” Losada said. It is therefore very difficult to compare the two periods. »
“You have to take the good and the bad in everything, philosophized goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois. Now, we have managed to climb the slope if I can say so. You have to take the whole team, in good and bad times. »
Sequence threatened?
If the Montreal eleven wants to continue its happy streak against FC Cincinnati (7-3-1), the best team in Major League Soccer at home with six wins in as many outings – during which it allowed only three goals – , he will have a lot to do.
“Cincinnati will be a good test, but Kansas City at home was also a good test, like playing Toronto,” Losada said. […] There are no easy matches in this league and it’s important to remain consistent, to offer the same level week after week. That’s what we’ve done the last six games and that’s what we want to continue doing. »
The team will once again be without the services of Piette and Toye, but are expected to reunite with Bryce Duke, who sat out the last game as a precaution.
“Bryce will be traveling with us,” confirmed the coach. He will therefore be in the squad for the matches in Cincinnati and against the New York Red Bulls.
“As for Mason, he is not close to a return to the game. There is still work to be done. I hope (him and Sam) can get back with the band soon, but I can’t say in how many more weeks. Certainly not in the next two or three weeks. »
The duel between CF Montreal and FC Cincinnati will begin at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday.