MONTREAL – CF Montreal is far from having regained the winning face it displayed in 2022, but that doesn’t stop it. For only the second time in the last eight years, he could show up to the very last game of his season with a ticket to the playoffs already in his pocket.
Those who come across this information after having torn their shirts in reaction to the embarrassing poor performances at the end of August will not believe their eyes, but it is the pure truth. Montreal is in position to secure its qualification for the end-of-season MLS tournament with as little as a draw this Saturday in Charlotte.
If it manages to maintain parity in North Carolina, the Bleu-Blanc-Noir will see its name accompanied by a small “x” in the Eastern standings if one of these two conditions is respected: a defeat of DC United in New England or a Philadelphia Union defeat in Columbus.
If Montreal wins in Charlotte, only simultaneous victories for these two rivals would force it to keep the champagne on ice until its final match of the calendar against New York City FC.
Colleague Olivier Brett addresses the subject in his most recent column: a qualification from CF Montreal would open the door to scenarios that make you dream. Laurent Courtois’ squad could potentially play a play-off match against Toronto FC. A victory in this duel without tomorrow would then send him into the arena for a 2-of-3 series against Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami.
And if the CFM were to keep their foot on the accelerator and hang on to seventh place, a confrontation against Wilfried Nancy’s Columbus Crew would become a more than likely outcome.
“I would like us to approach the next match by saying that we can aim for seventh place [dans l’Est]ensure that it is reachable on the last day of the season, proclaimed goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois on Friday. It is also possible to ensure our qualification for the series tomorrow. This is the mentality we have to have because we know that there are teams right behind us who are just waiting for us to screw up. »
However, it is important to put the horse behind the plow. Even if the confidence of the troops is at its peak, it is a priority for Montrealers to find the right balance between the swag of the conqueror and the complacency of the imprudent.
First victim of Montrealers in their irresistible end-of-season blitz, Charlotte FC has since regained color. Undefeated in his last three matches, he defeated the Revolution before taking a point from the regular season champions. He then eased off a bit in a 4-3 home win over Chicago.
In the Eastern Conference, only Miami and NYCFC have won more home games than Charlotte this season.
« [Je m’attends à] a more aggressive match than what we experienced at home, said Sirois. At home, we were very in control against them. Tomorrow, they risk having the ball a little more, wanting to come and attack us a little more. And I think there might be a little more pressure on them because they know that if we win, we only find ourselves two points behind them. »
“For us, this is the mentality we must have. We must not go into this match thinking about what is behind us and maybe pay attention to 9th, 10th, 11th place. If we tell ourselves that we want to go for seventh place rather than being satisfied with eighth, that will give us the best chance of winning the match. »
“They are strong at home while we have been on the fence for a few games,” says George Campbell. We will have to make sure we are well structured to defend well. Choosing the right moments to hit them on the counterattack and understanding when it’s time to keep possession of the ball. »
As an international break will take place from Monday, CF Montreal will not play its last match until October 19. Could the long holiday ahead encourage Courtois to squeeze the lemon and renew the same training which has just given him six points in an interval of five days? Not impossible, but it’s more likely that the coach’s plans involve some rotation.
“We will try to make the least hazardous adjustments possible,” Courtois said.
