On the first goal, he caused the penalty. On the second goal, he redirected the ball which touched the horizontal bar, allowing Chinonso Offor to score with a header. On the third goal, he served the superb pass to Romell Quioto. Mathieu Choinière was everywhere last Saturday.
“Mathieu is phenomenal,” said Hernan Losada after the victory at the hands of the Philadelphia Union. The accolades didn’t stop there:
“I have great respect for him because no matter where he plays, he performs,” continued the head coach. Whether defensively or offensively, it’s amazing. He has a big heart, he plays for the team. He puts the team before his individual performances. I love her so much. »
These kinds of words, when they come out of the mouth of a coach, are not to be taken lightly. Again Wednesday morning, three days after the victory, Losada praised the offensive talent, versatility and physical work of the 24-year-old Quebecer.
“He’s also an Academy player, from Montreal,” he noted. That’s why he gives a lot of motivation to all the players. »
The principal concerned did not hide that the words of his trainer to him had made him “really happy”. The opposite would have been surprising to say the least.
“It’s fun, but I don’t have to stop now. Each match, I have to perform, to bring what I brought to the last match. »
Since he has evolved with the CFM, Choinière has been considered the Swiss army knife of training. From the last training camp, it was clear that the young man’s ability to play in different positions would be put forward again this season. On Saturday he was used on the left, while Lassi Lapalainen was employed on the right.
“I really don’t mind,” Choinière said. I am available to the coach, no matter where. There is no problem. »
Asked about his progress, the one who has worn the colors of the CFM since 2018 simply indicated that he “feels good” on the ground and that he intends to “continue on this path”.
Chinonso Offor, acquired from the Chicago Fire last August, was a hero on Saturday when he scored with a header to tie the game at 2-2 with about 20 minutes left in the game.
On video replay, the goal was first disallowed before being accepted. These moments of waiting were a roller coaster of emotions for the thousands of supporters gathered at the Olympic Stadium… and for the 22-year-old Nigerian, who had never scored in a Montreal uniform before.
“I just had to react. I knew the defender was going to put his legs in while I went with my head. I had to put my head in front first. I was like, if his legs touch my head, that’s okay, the doctors can take care of that later! he said with a smile.
When asked if he was nervous during the cover, number 9 went with “Of course, of course!” “. “They looked twice, I think that’s the first time I’ve seen it,” he continued, laughing.
Standing 6’3″, Offor also brought a physical presence to this matchup against one of the best teams in the East.
“It’s natural for me. I know there are fat guys who don’t particularly like it, but when you have a body like that, you have to try to work that into your game. Luckily, it’s already part of my game. just gotta work on being a little more bully on the pitch. »
CF Montreal enjoys a long two-week break, with the next game not until April 1 against the Vancouver Whitecaps. The team will take the opportunity to work on the “physical part” and the “defense”, according to Losada.
“Obviously, this break is much more beautiful after a victory than after a defeat! »
Hernan Losada apologized to the media for Kamal Miller’s injury management after practice on Wednesday. On March 15, three days before the match against the Philadelphia Union, the head coach said that his central defender would not play. The latter eventually found himself in the starting XI, playing 80 minutes before being substituted.
“Kamal wasn’t playing 100 percent,” Losada noted. We took the risk with him. I can apologize here because on Wednesday [March 15] we were here and it was impossible for him to play. Afterwards, the evolution was top Thursday and Friday. He came and he wanted to play. That’s what he played for. But the idea was not to lie or give false information, so sorry. »
Miller had been chosen by the Canadian team for the two games of the international window before being forfeited on Tuesday morning. The CFM will therefore take advantage of this week without a duel to “give him time to recover”.
