(Montreal) Defender Joaquin Sosa arrived in Montreal without fanfare in January, but he found a way to get noticed on the field.
Through the hiring of attackers Matias Coccaro and Josef Martinez as well as midfielder Dominic Iankov, Sosa went slightly under the radar when training camp stopped at the Marie-Victorin sports complex.
Bleu-blanc-noir supporters knew very little about him, probably as much as the 22-year-old Uruguayan did in relation to MLS and Montreal.
On loan from Bologna FC, Sosa was still adapting to head coach Laurent Courtois’ style of play when a calf injury hampered his momentum during a preseason match against the Colorado Rapids.
Rather than feeling sorry for himself, the defender worked hard off the field, which did not go unnoticed by Courtois.
“He had difficulty at the start of the season managing depth, because we play quite high. He made all the adjustments,” he noted.
During his injury, he watched a lot of video and he did a lot of work on himself, on reading the game. When he came back, it was like he had always trained with us.
Laurent Courtois, head coach of the CFM, on Joaquin Sosa
Courtois has often mentioned that he wants to see players invested in training in order to repeat the principles during matches. After two months of watching his team from the sidelines, Sosa finally had the trust of his head coach on April 6, against the Seattle Sounders.
A natural left-hander, Sosa started the match on this side of the field, where CF Montreal has used a few defenders since the departure of Kamal Miller. He missed a golden opportunity to score his first career MLS goal, but he looked good despite a crushing 5-0 loss.
Sosa was once again used as a starter when the Bleu-blanc-noir returned to Stade Saputo last weekend. In a 2-1 victory over FC Cincinnati, he was involved in recovery and offensively, which characterizes his style of play and what is required by Courtois.
PHOTO PETER MCCABE, THE CANADIAN PRESS
Joaquin Sosa reacts after contact with Aaron Boupendza during the match between CFM and FC Cincinnati on April 13.
“What Laurent is asking me is exactly what you saw in the last match. He of course asks me to defend in my territory, but if there are opportunities to attack, I will do it. Especially when our pressure is higher and the game is in front of us. I stand in front of the middle line. I just have to read the game correctly,” expressed the defender.
During his two matches in the North American circuit, Sosa had veteran Joel Waterman on his right to support him. The 28-year-old Canadian is in his fifth season in MLS, all with CF Montreal, and he has played all over the field on defense.
To help him develop in his role, several of Sosa’s teammates explained the basics of the league to him.
My teammates helped me and told me how it would go. It helps to have experienced players with you who know this league. A few players gave me some advice on this level.
Joaquin Sosá
The Montreal squad will face Orlando City SC at Saputo Stadium on Saturday evening.
reference: www.lapresse.ca