CF Montreal shouldn’t cry because their season ended, but rather smile because it happened.
The Bleu-blanc-noir saw its surprising but masterful season come to an end against New York City FC in the Eastern Conference semi-finals on Sunday, but it can at least console itself by telling itself that it has been widened eyes to the four corners of the MLS.
Sure, you could see the disappointment on the players’ faces and the emotion in head coach Wilfried Nancy’s voice was noticeable after the loss, but putting things into perspective, CF Montreal learned from their journey that season and his heartbreaking defeat in the playoffs.
“Impossible is just an opinion,” said Nancy. The guys always believed that we could do something good in our training, in the emotions we had and in what we could offer on the pitch. Little by little, we earned the respect of everyone across MLS. Montreal is now recognized and what we are doing on the ground is clear. »
Nominated for MLS Head Coach of the Year, Nancy also needs to include himself when talking about this newfound respect.
Since taking charge of the team, ahead of the start of the 2021 season, Nancy has established a clear style of play and principles that have produced results. CF Montreal narrowly missed the playoffs last season, but they smashed two MLS records and 12 team records in 2022 to move from 10e in the second echelon of the East, with an increase of 19 points.
New York City FC head coach Nick Cushing has seen first-hand the change in mentality within the Montreal squad and he expects them to enjoy great success in the years to come under the supervision of Nancy.
“I believe that CF Montreal is an exceptional team. The players are very well managed and they play very good football. They can score from crosses, pass the ball and directly attack the net thanks to their pace, observed Cushing. With a head coach like Wilfried Nancy, it will be a dominant team. If he continues to work this way, CF Montreal will become a winning team. »
Remember that despite the successes of the Montrealers, there is still doubt about Nancy’s return to the helm of the team. The 45-year-old head coach still has no contract in his pocket for the 2023 season.
If Nancy needs an agent to negotiate the terms of her return to Montreal, he will only have to turn to his locker room. Twenty players would not be disappointed to see him pick up where he left off this season.
Quebecer Samuel Piette has also made himself the spokesperson for all his teammates.
“I want Wilfried and all his staff to stay in Montreal. I think it’s remarkable what we have built with Wilfried since last year. You see that the players are comfortable and that they enjoy playing, he said. Wilfried made sure that several players, including me, were able to progress. I know every player in the dressing room would like him back. »
A winning culture
Nancy was also the instigator of this renewed winning culture within the Bleu-blanc-noir. The Montreal troop managed to win back its supporters, after a tumultuous rebranding.
In the final stretch of the season, and in the playoffs, CF Montreal played in front of several packed houses and the Saputo stadium was noisy as it had not been for a long time. The players felt this energy from the crowd and the fans appreciated the style of play that was presented on the field.
“I’m happy with the support from the crowd and the province. The city has been behind us and we have really changed the culture here. It’s a city that loves soccer, defender Alistair Johnston insisted. The fans were a little hesitant at the start of the season and I understood that. Many people doubted us. We have proven that we are an exciting team and that everyone can rally behind us. The fans did it and I applaud them. »
Emotional during her post-game press briefing, Nancy went down the same path as Johnston.
“I’ve been here a long time and saw really big crowds at the Olympic Stadium back then. I want to say thank you to the fans for the noise they made and for the beauty at Stade Saputo. What makes me most proud is seeing 10-year-olds and 77-year-olds thanking the team for the emotions we gave them this season. I am the happiest in the world,” he expressed.
Now that this new culture seems well established, it will only remain to be seen if the 2023 team can achieve the same successes.
We already know that Djordje Mihailovic will leave for the Dutch Premier League and Victor Wanyama has mentioned he won’t be back. Earlier this season, rumors sent Ismaël Koné to England and a participation in the Soccer World Cup could benefit him, just like Johnston.
This is a reality that is not unknown to Nancy and he has always had the idea of improving his players at heart.
“I also do this work to develop players and men. When I arrived at the helm of the team, the goal with (sporting director) Olivier Renard was to take players and improve them. For me, it was a success. I don’t know who will come back next year, but we will start again based on what we have done well in the past. We managed to have a better season in 2022 because of the one we had in 2021,” he pointed out.