The calendar, overloaded since the recent FIFA international break, puts two major opponents on the path of the Bleu-blanc-noir over the next few days. Add to that three hours of jet lag.
Moreover, some players will live their first passage on the American west coast, a particular tour which requires a certain adaptation, according to Wilfried Nancy.
We will go there knowing that the environment is not easy, three hours of difference, six hours of flight, explains the head coach of CF Montreal. Going to the West is more difficult than coming to the East because we have to play later. But again, we like it and we will do everything to bring back points from these two games.
The idea is to stay on what we do well, to have a good collective dynamic. There is a good chemistry with the group, afterwards we leave with very specific objectives. As I told the players, we are not going on vacation.
The last duel against the Sounders dates back to June 5, 2019. At that time, the Montreal team was still called the Impact, and Saphir Taïder played the heroes by scoring the team’s two goals in a 2-1 victory. at the Saputo stadium.
Back to our flakes. Seattle is currently ranked 7th in the Western Conference, and Brian Schmetzer’s squad will try to extend their unbeaten streak to five games (three wins and a draw).
” Great challenge! I love it, and players know it. We do this job for that, to face adversity. We like to rub shoulders with teams that we haven’t seen for a long time, for three years if I’m not mistaken. We’re going to do what we usually do. Whether it’s against Forge FC or against Seattle, we’re going to play the same way. Afterwards, there is an opposition and it will dictate the game a little, but our state of mind is the same. »
Then, CF Montreal has an appointment next Monday with Los Angeles FC, the best team in MLS at the moment. The Californian team, the next destination of internationals Gareth Bale and Girogio Chiellini, have won 10 of their 16 meetings this season.
It is also the team that has hurt the opposing goaltenders the most, with 32 goals scored, but in this regard, Montreal has nothing to envy them with a total of 30 successes since the start of the calendar.
According to Wilfried Nancy, the challenge promises to be interesting for his club. We have two very important games against opponents who are super interesting to play, and we are going there to try to do something very good. Whether in the West, it’s a new journey indeed, but the links are already there, it will just confirm our dynamic and it is up to us to be good on the ground.
A return under the sign of renewal for Mason Toye
Sometimes it takes a little magic to bring a team to life. Quebec’s National Day may have played a role in CF Montreal’s commitment against Charlotte on Saturday, but the return of Mason Toye certainly provides a breath of fresh air in the absence of Djordje Mihailovic, injured in a knee.
The 23-year-old American was inches away from getting on the scoresheet when he returned to action after more than 10 months out. His entry, in the 78th minute of play, was greeted with joy by the crowd at Stade Saputo.
It was amazing. I visualized my return to the game, I dreamed of it, and it was exactly as I imagined it, Toye said. I’m grateful to have been able to come home, in front of our fans and to have won the game. It was a great day overall.
The road has been long, but it will have allowed the young striker to learn a little more about himself, his strength of character and the importance of the team around him. Toye had scored 7 times in 14 games before suffering a shoulder injury in August 2021. He was hopeful of being back for the start of the season, but a groin injury once again held him back .
If he intends to become an impact player again with CF Montreal, it is under a new face that he wishes to do so. I’m not trying to become the player I was, but rather to renew myself and become a new player, an improved striker. I don’t want to remain the same player.
I am convinced that I can score goals regularly, and I always will, assures Mason Toye. If I focus on the process, I know everything will be fine. It doesn’t worry me.
Wilfried Nancy has said many times that he wants to go gradually with Toye. It will be interesting to see how he uses it on a synthetic surface. For example, in Seattle.
The flight is almost full.
The plane will leave Montreal with the entire Bleu-blanc-noir squad on board, with the exception of Djordje Mihailovic, who is still on the sidelines.
Bothered by an injury suffered against Honduras in the CONCACAF Nations League two weeks ago, Kamal Miller is closing in on a return to action. The Canadian defender was taking part in his first training session with the team on Monday and could be sent into the fray during the journey.
Wilfried Nancy has also confirmed that Jojea Kwizera will be part of the adventure. It looks like the team’s executives have found a way for the first-round pick in the last MLS draft to travel with the team. Passport troubles restricted the young striker of Congolese origins to local games only.
Reference-ici.radio-canada.ca