(Montreal) CF Montreal is doing well these days, but the team that will face them on Saturday night aren’t one to be intimidated on the road this season.
With three straight victories, including two in MLS, the Bleu-blanc-noir is trying to continue its rise in the Eastern Association standings by hosting Orlando City S.C. at Stade Saputo.
After a succession of bad news since the start of the campaign, the torments seem far away for CF Montreal (3-6-0). The team collectively found themselves leaving the Eastern Slums and looking up, where they can glimpse the Orlando City S.C.
Oscar Pareja’s men arrive in town having not lost in three games on the road (2-0-1) in MLS this season and they want to forget their last visit to Montreal.
Last October, Orlando City S.C. (4-3-2) lost 2-0 in the first round of playoffs to end the season with a fourth straight away loss.
The Florida team had particularly struggled to find their rhythm and they had tried to limit the damage for as long as possible. Until Ismaël Koné opened the scoring in the 68th minute.
Needless to say, things are going differently on the opposing fields for Orlando City S.C. this season and they will no doubt be looking to quickly diminish the energy of the crowd at Stade Saputo.
“We know Orlando has a good team, but we’re at home. We want to start the match in the right way by directly imposing our style of play. That’s the key. That’s what we want to maintain throughout the game, “said Quebec midfielder Mathieu Choinière.
From game to game, CF Montreal head coach Hernan Losada hoped his players would leave the infirmary quietly. He welcomed the return to training of several injured over the past two weeks.
During the team’s streak of success, however, it was in committee that the players were able to create attack or close the door on defense. The Montrealers are also trying to sign a third consecutive shutout in MLS for the first time since April 2019.
Losada intends to be patient with injured players like striker Romell Quioto, midfielder Matko Miljevic or goalkeeper James Pantemis. So we shouldn’t expect to see them back in the lineup against Orlando City S.C.
“I’m happy that we can train with almost all the players, it feels good. But players returning from injury haven’t played in a long time, Losada expressed. This feedback gives me more options and it brings internal competition and thanks to that, the level of play increases. »
A few players have stood out in CF Montreal’s last two MLS wins, including Choinière and goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois.
Sirois was the author of two shutouts for the Montreal troops in MLS and he gave confidence to his teammates during important moments. The Quebecer will be back in goal against Orlando City S.C. and Losada gave him credit for seizing the opportunity that presented itself.
It’s a bit the same story on the side of Choinière, who has just been named to the team of the week in MLS for a second consecutive time. CF Montreal have won all three games in which Choinière has contributed to at least one goal this season.
Choinière, who had two goals and two assists in 2023, has been employed in a few different positions, but his most recent points tally comes as he finds himself to the left of Victor Wanyama as a central midfielder.
“The best position for Mathieu is where he is currently playing. He can give a little more than when used in the left or right lane, Losada noted. That doesn’t mean we won’t need him left or right. This is Mathieu’s strength. He can help us in several positions. His latest performances have exploded lately because he plays in a position he likes and where he gets pleasure. »
The Bleu-blanc-noir will be aiming for a third straight victory against Orlando City S.C. Midfielder Ilias Iliadis will be back in the lineup after serving a one-game suspension for being shown a red card against the New York Red Bulls .
