Sebastian Breza seizes starting goalkeeper role for CF Montréal

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One year ago, goalkeeper Sebastian Breza was third on CF Montréal’s depth chart, an afterthought for manager Wilfried Nancy.

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But in the embryonic stages of the MLS regular season, and through the Champions League round of 16, Nancy made it clear Breza has seized control of the position from James Pantemis. And nothing’s expected to change heading into CFM’s home-opener Saturday (4 p.m., TSN4, TVA Sports, TSN 690 radio, 91.9 Sports)against the Philadelphia Union at Olympic Stadium.

“The difference for the moment is about leadership,” Nancy said Thursday. “With the team we have at the moment — a young team — we need someone with the style of Sebastian. That’s why I decided to put him as the first goalkeeper for the moment.

“I say for the moment because there’s competition. James knows he has to work on specific things. James is a good goalkeeper but, for what I need, Sebastian is first for the moment.”

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Breza, 23, was loaned to CFM last April from Bologna FC 1909, and didn’t make his first MLS start until Aug. 8. He made seven more starts — compared with 18 for Pantemis — allowed eight goals in total and recorded two clean sheets. Breza also was the starter through the club’s Canadian Championship run.

“The coach has the feeling he has about who he wants to play,” said the 6-foot-4, 192-pound Breza, originally from Ottawa. “He instills the fact that every day’s a battle and every day we work to see who’s going to play on the weekend. I wouldn’t say there’s one particular event that changed that.”

Although club management originally declined Breza’s contract option at the end of last season, a new loan agreement with the Serie A side was announced on Jan. 9.

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Breza said he has many shortcomings while working to improve his craft, noting he doesn’t particularly jump or throw well. And, despite Nancy’s claim that Breza possesses leadership qualities, the player denied he suddenly became a natural-born leader.

“To be a leader, it’s not something you decide (and say) okay, today I’m going to be a leader,” he said. “We have enough (leaders) now.

“I’m vocal on the pitch because I just keep talking but, most of the time, teammates would say I don’t say a lot of useful stuff; I just talk a lot.”

CF Montréal opened its season on Sunday with a 2-0 road loss against Orlando City, conceding both goals during a 10-minute span in the second half. Striker Romell Quioto was ejected in the 66th minute and isn’t eligible Saturday. He might be replaced by legendary veteran Kei Kamara, signed two weeks ago as a free agent. During Thursday’s session, Nancy had Kamara, Joaquin Torres and attacking midfielder Djordje Mihailovic playing up front.

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The Union opened its season with a 1-1 draw on Saturday against Minnesota United FC. While Philadelphia finished second in the Eastern Conference in 2021, CFM held the club to a pair of draws last season.

While CFM can’t lose sight of its immediate goal, it also has a Champions League opening-leg quarter-final match on Wednesday against Cruz Azul in Mexico City.

“We’re focused on the Union and we’ll do everything to win,” said Mathieu Choinière. “In the back of our head it’s sure we think about Champions League.”

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