Laurent Courtois entrusted it to The Pressabout ten days ago: Caden Clark, “he brings something different to the team”.
Posted at 8:08 p.m.
Updated at 8:30 p.m.
At this point in our interview, it was a question of the contrast in general at CF Montreal since September, and his response precisely underlined Clark’s brilliance since his acquisition in August. But, again, perhaps the coach didn’t mean to say that well.
Because this 2-0 victory for the CFM against New York City FC, this Saturday evening at Saputo stadium in the decisive match of the 2024 MLS season, it was signed by Caden Clark.
Montreal therefore ends the season in eighth position, and will play the play-off match for participation in the series, Tuesday evening, by hosting Atlanta United at home. If he wins, a two-of-three match against Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami awaits him. It would get underway next Friday, in Florida.
It’s Clark who scores the first goal of the match, in the 18the. And it was his effort in the left lane that allowed Josef Martínez to score the second, in stoppage time in the first period.
New York domination
That said, rarely has a 2-0 victory been such a sham. Because CF Montreal was dominated on all sides by New York City FC, who came to Montreal to play and the will to win.
His first objective was achieved – we are talking about 10 New York corners against 1 for the locals, for example. But for the second, he came up against a Jonathan Sirois in great form, and a resilient Montreal defense.
On the other hand, the CFM took advantage of its rare opportunities. For the first goal, Caden Clark scored a superb strike, following a nice assist from Bryce Duke. But we almost want to declare that the master action in this success is Josef Martínez’s pass in the area, allowing Clark to obtain the leather.
PHOTO DOMINICK GRAVEL, LA PRESSE
Bryce Duke (au centre)
Montreal continued to suffer, but the New York attacks lacked bite. In first-half stoppage time, Clark flew down the left channel on the counter-attack, redoubled his efforts to retain the ball, then flick it to Martínez in the box. The latter placed the smallest of touches to thwart Matt Freese, and go for the 2-0.
These two nets were scored against the run of play. A game which was to the advantage of the visitors throughout the match. The one-match suspension of midfielder Nathan Saliba, the driving force of this team, probably had its impact in this regard, moreover. To replace him, Courtois placed defender Joel Waterman in the defensive midfielder position, a little higher than usual. This is not the first time that Waterman has played in this position, but in such a crucial match, the gamble was enormous. The result of the match will have pleased the coach, but for the manner, we will come back.
Either way, few will complain. Because the work, against all odds if we look back at the whole season, has been accomplished. We see you again on Tuesday, for a place in the playoffs.
On the rise: Jonathan Sirois
We mentioned it above, but if Clark was decisive up front, there is probably no victory without the heroic nature of Jonathan Sirois’ performance in front of the Montreal cage. His three big saves (on 15 shots in total), including one around the 10e minute, were saving. He kept his team in the game when it wasn’t there at all.
En baisse: Matías Cóccaro
For Cóccaro not even to be on the scoresheet for this crucial meeting, without injury or suspension, it is because he must have become very low in Laurent Courtois’ hierarchy. We preferred Jules-Anthony Vilsaint, Sunusi Ibrahim and Kwadwo Opoku on the bench… even Lassi Lappalainen found a place there. It is true that the Uruguayan has not contributed much offensively this season, after his great start to the campaign. He will have to find his bearings, because he still has a contract until 2026, in addition to two option years.
