(Montreal) CF Montreal may be delighted with its four-game unbeaten streak, but it still feels like it left points on the table.
After amassing five points out of a possible nine against direct opponents in the race for the Eastern Association series, Laurent Courtois’ men drew a draw at Real Salt Lake, the best team in the West, on Saturday. The Montrealers nevertheless gave themselves opportunities to make the difference, but they once again lacked finishing.
At the dawn of a complicated duel against the New York Red Bulls on Wednesday evening at Saputo Stadium, this is still what the head coach must work on. In addition to having to negotiate with the comings and goings in his training.
“He lacks realism to score in our highlights. If you don’t capitalize on your moments, you give up points and you are never safe from a play that can change the match. We work to get all players on the same page. Especially at home,” Courtois analyzed Tuesday before training at the Nutrilait Center.
The Bleu-blanc-noir is far from the storm that shook it in May, and that does not mean that everything is perfect, but there is however something reassuring in seeing the points accumulate. And this, even if the objective always remains the same: victory.
“You don’t want to be satisfied with getting a point, but you have to be grateful to get them. These points add up. At the end of the season, maybe they will make the difference,” said forward Mason Toye.
CF Montreal welcomed several returns to play on Saturday, including those of attackers Matias Coccaro, Kwadwo Opoku and Toye, who made their debut in the second half.
The additional options for Courtois are interesting, but they also require a little patience. Coccaro and Opoku are returning from long-term injuries and they need to get back into rhythm and match form. Meanwhile, players who have been used excessively in recent weeks will have to continue to offer a high level of play.
“It’s great news to have all this feedback, but the players are limited in their playing time so as not to put them at risk again. We need to get the players back to match form, but some others will need to get a break as well. We juggle these elements, but the matches keep coming and it’s true that it’s difficult,” explained Courtois.
A few players who have been used a little less recently will also have to work harder during a few crucial absences.
Defender Joel Waterman learned on Saturday that he would join his teammates Samuel Piette and Mathieu Choinière with Canada for the Copa America. Ariel Lassiter received the call from Costa Rica.
“Everyone here is ready to play. No matter who gets the chance, you want to prove you can do the job. I am happy for my teammates who have been recalled by their countries, but here we will continue to fight so that everything goes well when they return,” insisted Opoku.
This will be another real test of team chemistry, as the many changes in the formation usually slow down automatic execution. The best remedy is undoubtedly to quickly materialize opportunities to allow players to ride this momentum.
“You want to build chemistry and it’s easier when all the players are there. I think seeing the ball go into the net early in the game, being rewarded and having the fans behind us, it’s going to help us build on that confidence,” Toye said.
This confidence and this first goal will be necessary against the Red Bulls (8-4-6), one of the good clubs in the East this season. The New Yorkers have the second best attack in the association, but just like CF Montreal (4-7-6), they are deprived of good elements.
Midfielder Lewis Morgan, who has scored nine goals this season, left the team to join Scotland at the Euros while starting goalkeeper Carlos Coronel was selected by Paraguay for the Copa America. Midfielder Emil Forsberg, who scored six goals, is injured in one foot and his presence is uncertain for Wednesday’s game.
Nonetheless, Courtois expects good opposition and a nice variation in the visitors’ playing styles.
“It’s a very vertical and direct team. She can rush into spaces and second balls, but she also has the ability to play combined play. They arrive with a lot of players in the box. There is a clear identity of what they do, but they are more elaborate and able to bring versatility,” he expressed.
The Red Bulls have lost their last two away outings and they are winless in their last two matches, suffering a shutout each time.
After missing his team’s last match, CF Montreal midfielder Rida Zouhir returned to training. Courtois indicated that the Quebecer had had a personal problem.
