CF Montreal had only small moral victories in their luggage when they left New York and they must now prepare for a game that promises to be rich in emotions.
Despite a much better second half, the Bleu-blanc-noir had to settle for a 2-0 loss to New York City FC on Wednesday night.
Circumstances did not favor Hernán Losada’s men, who looked lost on the smaller, tighter field of Yankee Stadium. Not wanting to use that as an excuse, the head coach of the Montreal team still admitted that the situation had been unusual.
The page that CF Montreal is about to turn opens a chapter in which it will find a familiar character.
The Columbus Crew’s visit to Stade Saputo on Saturday night allows head coach Wilfried Nancy to return to where he held several coaching positions for more than a decade and had a record season with the Blue-white-black, in 2022.
Nancy’s move to Columbus in the offseason surprised Montreal fans. The latter can also be nostalgic when they see defender Rudy Camacho, traded to the Crew a few weeks ago, and goalkeeper Evan Bush, who continues to roll his bump in the MLS, in the enemy camp.
Losada has been through a similar situation this season, as CF Montreal have faced their former team, D.C. United, twice. The Argentinian does not hide that he expects a special game in the eyes of some players, but recalls that for a head coach it is more difficult to change the course of a game on the pitch.
“As a coach, you’re on the side, you don’t play and you can’t make a difference in moments of play,” he noted. When I was a player and I faced coaches I worked with or teams where I played, it’s always special. I’m not going to say it’s more motivation, but it’s going to be special for a few players. »
It must also be said that the Montreal squad is different from the one it presented under Nancy in 2022. Against New York City FC, 6 of the 11 starters got a start last season.
Losada also offered the first starts in MLS to some young players, like Nathan Saliba and Jules-Anthony Vilsaint, in addition to trusting players acquired during the season, like Ariel Lassiter, Bryce Duke and Kwadwo Opoku.
They know that this confrontation has a particular cachet, but the approach remains the same.
“For me, it’s another game we have to win,” Lassiter insisted. I want to win every game, no matter who we face. I’ve heard things and it will be fun to face Rudy, but besides that, I’m excited to play for the three points. »
One of the players who was overused under Nancy’s tutelage is midfielder Victor Wanyama, but recently he’s been watching his teammates from the back of the bench. Since leaving Chicago on July 12, the Kenyan has only played 32 minutes.
Samuel Piette’s return to play diminished Wanyama’s role in midfield. And when the 32-year-old veteran was injured, Saliba showed plenty of fire and intensity to give Losada an alternative.
The coach expects Wanyama to continue to act as a leader even though he has been receiving fewer minutes for the past few weeks.
“It’s part of his job to be a leader on and off the pitch. We have chosen to play several games with only one more defensive midfielder, and that is Samuel. When Victor was in worse shape, Saliba played very well. There is no other explanation,” he argued.
Forward Romell Quioto, who is injured in a hamstring, did exercises with his teammates on Thursday, but he does not seem close to a return to the game. No timetable has been revealed in his case. On the side of defender Aaron Herrera, injured in an ankle, he should miss a few more games.