Follow the match between CF Montréal and New York City FC on Saturday from 5:30 p.m. with our pre-match show on RDS2 and RDS.ca.
PREMATCH
On the verge of “extreme unction” six weeks ago, CF Montreal would choose the right moment to exorcise certain demons, Saturday, during the last match of its campaign.
The MLS knows very well what it is doing with its famous “decision day”. For teams that don’t have the luxury of having the crucial “X” to the left of their name in the standings, this day can bring euphoria… or broken hearts.
The Bleu-blanc-noir is very aware of this.
In 2021, in front of its fans, Montreal needed a victory against Orlando City SC to ensure their playoff spot in the Eastern Association, but they lost 2-0.
In 2023, CF Montreal headed to Columbus with its ticket to the playoffs in its pocket. But after a 2-1 loss – and a somewhat crazy end to the match in Nashville – he left Ohio with an elimination that was difficult to digest.
Last September, Laurent Courtois’ troop did not seem to have to worry about these disappointments, when they were only one point behind the bottom place in the East. Then, a 4-1-1 record in her last six games suddenly put her behind the wheel.
Currently installed in the ninth level, the Bleu-blanc-noir only needs a draw against New York City FC at Saputo stadium to ensure its presence in the Eastern playoff match. Even a loss, along with a little help, might be enough.
“Obviously, at the start of the season, you would have hoped to have already confirmed your playoff spot at this point, but hopes were pretty low 10 games ago. It’s a big achievement for the band to be in this position. We should be proud of that, but now it remains the most important game of the year. If we don’t do the job on Saturday, it doesn’t mean anything,” said defender George Campbell on Friday before his team’s training.
We don’t know if the players and Courtois are hiding their nervousness well, but despite the enormous stakes, the match against NYCFC is one like any other according to them.
However, CF Montreal will play this clash in front of a 17th full house this season, which constitutes a team record. Between the desire to simply collect that decisive point in the standings and to fuel the spectacle for the fans, it is easy to get lost.
Courtois now has the challenge of finding a balance in his game plan, to attack without running unnecessary risks.
“It will be in the management of emotions. We have to find the right balance between what we like to do and what we have to do. Will we be able to keep a cool head? You have to attack, but that doesn’t mean forcing things and putting us in a position to be punished. We cannot let the atmosphere take away our clear ideas,” analyzed the head coach.
In addition, CF Montreal (10-13-10) has unfinished business with New York City FC (14-11-8), a team that has only lost two of its 20 duels against the Bleu-blanc -black (13-2-5).
The last defeat of the “Pigeons” at the hands of the Montreal team dates back to July 7, 2021. They have also won six of the last seven clashes, including the one which eliminated the Bleu-blanc-noir from the MLS series, in 2022.
NYCFC probably doesn’t intend to arrive at Saputo Stadium as a tourist, when a victory could allow them to gain home field advantage for the first playoff round.
“It’s a very playful team. It’s going to be different from DC United or the Philadelphia Union, for example, which imposes a different style of trap on you. NYCFC plays liberated and we know we have to position ourselves well on the pitch. It’s a team that starts very strong at the start of the match and likes to press very high,” observed Courtois.
For the occasion, CF Montreal will be deprived of the services of midfielder Nathan Saliba. The Quebecer is suspended for this match due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
Obviously, Courtois has not revealed his cards on the tactical level, but he has already used midfielder Bryce Duke in a slightly more defensive role this season. Captain Samuel Piette should be at his post to support the lucky one.
“Nathan is an important player for us. He and Sam did a lot of work in the middle of the field. I have confidence in our group, we are quite united. You just have to be on the same page defensively. Our success will start from there. Whoever comes in instead of Nathan, if he’s on the same page, I think we’re going to look good,” said goaltender Jonathan Sirois.
A little sidelined during training due to some minor health issues, striker Josef Martinez should be at his post on Saturday. The Venezuelan is the Bleu-blanc-noir’s top scorer this season with 10 goals.
