CF Montréal has a solid foundation and stability for 2022

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The already short Major League Soccer offseason was shortened for CF Montréal by virtue of its Canadian Championship win over Toronto FC in November, thus qualifying for the CONCACAF Champions League.

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While the MLS regular season for CFM will begin on February 27 in Orlando City, the team will first play a two-game aggregate series in the round of 16 against Liga MX’s mighty Club Santos Laguna. The first leg will be on February 15 at Corona Stadium at 10 pm before the Canadian club host the Mexican team at Saputo Stadium on February 22 at 8:30 pm.

Unlike a year ago, after coach Thierry Henry’s sudden resignation shortly before training camp for personal reasons, there is much more stability heading into a new season and more reasons for optimism after the bar was lowered. in 2021.

“This season is a new starting point to build on next year,” said attacking midfielder Djordje Mihailovic, chosen as the team’s MVP and part of a strong returning group.

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And, for once, CFM won’t be hiring a new manager.

Little was known about assistant Wilfried Nancy when he was named Henry’s replacement. But it didn’t take long for him to realize that he had earned the respect of the players. Management exercised its option on Nancy’s 2022 contract in May, and while the team fell short on its MLS playoff offer, it stayed mathematically alive until the last game of the regular season.

Considering the numerous hurdles that were overcome, including playing a portion of their home schedule in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, a 12-12-10 record was nothing to be ashamed of.

“We were 27 of 27 at the beginning of the year,” said Repentigny midfielder Samuel Piette. “We were able to silence a lot of people and we showed that they may not have seen us in the right way. Most of the players will return. The substance is good and the return of Wilfried Nancy will allow us to continue to build on what we build on. “

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There is a solid foundation to build on. CF Montréal has a deep squad with many options.

Romell Quioto, who scored eight goals in 19 games, and American Mason Toye, who produced seven goals in just 14 games before sustaining injuries, provide the CFM with depth and offensive options.

Sunusi Ibrahim, 19, is also a fast and talented player. He produced four goals in 26 appearances, but was limited to nine as a starter.

Bjørn Johnsen, a 6-foot-5 forward, proved to be a disappointment with just two goals, both scored in the same match, but sporting director Olivier Renard made it clear that management was not prepared to cut the hook with him. While Johnsen was left unprotected in the expansion draft, he was not one of the five players claimed by Charlotte FC.

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“It’s so easy to kill him now, and he would be the first to admit that he didn’t play a great season,” Renard said of his availability at the end of the season. “We know that in sports and football you can have a bad season. He’s still under contract. I still have confidence in him. Everyone knows it was a strange season for him. He needs to change a lot of things, but we are still confident. We’ll see.”

Mihailovic, acquired from Chicago for a potential $ 1 million in general allocation money, was the catalyst on the field that held the team together. While he scored four goals, his franchise-record 16 assists proved to be more valuable. Combined with Canadian defender Kamal Miller, those players, along with versatile defender Alistair Johnston, acquired in a December 23 deal with MLS ‘Nashville SC, provide CF Montreal with solid starters and building blocks.

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While Renard generously changed his roster a year ago, he believes he will be less active this winter and said he has confidence in the core group.

“My philosophy doesn’t change,” he said. “I don’t want a great player on the field. I want a team on the field. We have important players. We can build something with the young players.

“Djordje was a kid from Chicago when we hired him. Many thought it was regular … and asked me about the acquisition. But I was pretty sure he would be a major new player. “

Renard said improving the baseline will be an area of ​​concern, especially knowing that the team has left behind veteran French defender Rudy Camacho, named CFM’s defensive player of the year.

A possible replacement is 21-year-old central defender Gabriele Corbo, acquired on loan from Bologna FC 1909. Corbo is right-handed and, according to Renard, is comfortable playing from a three- or four-man baseline. Corbo was in Montreal long before the deal was announced.

With five of its first six regular-season games on the road, another fast start will be imperative for CFM to remain in contention in the Eastern Conference. In 2021, the team lost only one of its first five games.

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