Canadian content carries CF Montréal to MLS summit

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Sitting atop the table in the Eastern Conference isn’t a position CF Montréal is accustomed to, but Kamal Miller said the club is exactly where it’s supposed to be, despite being constructed unlike any other in MLS.

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When CFM defeated expansion side Charlotte FC 2-0 Saturday, four of the starting 11 were Canadians. There would have been another, but Joel Waterman was suspended.

“It’s definitely not usual to see a team like this,” Miller, a Canadian international defender, said Tuesday. “When you’re looking at our starting 11, you don’t see a high-priced South American designated player, like other teams. We just play our way. Everyone buys into the system. We have a good balance of guys from everywhere, with different levels of experience.

“I think it’s a good group.”

Barely one-third into the regular season, CF Montréal is riding a franchise-high eight-game undefeated streak, including six victories. After launching its campaign with three straight losses while involved in Champions League play, the Canadian club has a 6-3-2 record heading into Wednesday’s match against Nashville SC at Geodis Park (8:30 p.m., TVA Sports, TSN Radio 690, 91.9 Sports).

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The game marks the return of Alistair Johnston to Nashville. Johnston, like Miller a Canadian international, was traded to CFM last December for US$1 million in general allocation money spread over two years. He scored his first goal this season — and the second of his career — on Saturday.

Johnston launched his MLS career in 2020 with what was then an expansion club, playing 44 games.

While Johnston said he was excited to return to Nashville, though it remained a business trip, Miller noted that appearances can be deceiving.

“For sure, he’s been talking about it a lot,” Miller said. “He definitely doesn’t want to go there and leave anything on the table. We all want to go there and take three points, especially for him. It’s personal.”

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While Nashville sits sixth in Western Conference (4-4-3) and is coming off a 2-0 road loss to the Houston Dynamo, it has played only twice at home. The side is undefeated against CFM in four matches and is unbeaten in its last 21 home games (11-0-10).

“A lot of people look at Nashville’s record and think they should be higher in the table,” Johnston said. “But with that travel and how far they’re flying, to go on the road and pick up points shows what a difficult team they are to try and break down. That’s their identity, and they have the attacking talent, too.

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“They’re a dangerous team.”

Nashville has conceded only 12 goals through 11 games. While strong defensively, the club is known for delivering repeated crosses into the box to produce most of its offensive damage. Communication along the back line, Miller noted, will be key for CFM.

“They’re very physical and good on set pieces,” he said. “They have tall strikers who want to flick the ball and get in behind us. It’s going to be a tough game for sure. We know what they bring. It comes down to just being aware of everything going on. It’s how you prepare before the cross comes in.

“It’s the perfect time to play a team like Nashville to test ourselves and see where we’re really at defensively. When I look at our back five, I don’t see too many better across the league.”

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This marks the first time since early 2016 that CFM has topped the standings. It has gone five games (3-0-2) without a loss on the road and has tightened its defensive structure, allowing just five goals in the last six matches.

CF Montréal’s run started with a 3-3 draw at Atlanta United on March 19. While the point was valuable, the visitors also squandered a late two-goal lead against a side reduced to 10 men. But the match served as a wake-up call and, heading into the two-week international break, provided the players and coaching staff with time to reflect.

“We had some deep conversations in the week that followed,” Johnston said. “It gave us the time to sit back and think about what we wanted to do. It also gave the staff (time) to work on some things. We’re finally catching a couple of breaks. I feel better about our ability to limit big chances. And we’re defending our box a lot better.”

Striker Romell Quioto, who appeared to suffer a serious shoulder injury during the first half on Saturday, should be available, manager Wilfried Nancy said.

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