MONTREAL — CF Montreal is still struggling with holes to fill in its formation, but this is once again an opportunity for some players to seize their chance.
After a difficult start to the season on the road, a large number of injuries and a series of 11 games in 36 days, the Bleu-blanc-noir now sees the Gold Cup giving it a hard time.
It was the right lane that was recently stripped when Aaron Herrera (Guatemala) and Zachary Brault-Guillard (Canada) received the call from their countries to participate in the tournament. Mathieu Choinière or Lassi Lappalainen could have entered this side, but both players are currently injured.
Short on resources, head coach Hernan Losada moved Ariel Lassiter from left to right and the veteran had a rollercoaster game against Charlotte FC on Saturday.
Finding his rhythm as the game progressed, Lassiter now has another chance to plug a gap in the lineup – much like he did down the left lane when acquired from Inter Miami CF.
“I don’t think I’m sacrificing attack on the right side, even if the chances didn’t all come up against Charlotte,” said Lassiter, who is a natural southpaw. I think when the ball is higher in space I’m comfortable coming back inside and shooting with my left foot, finding combinations with teammates or going one-on-one to attempt crosses.”
Samuel Piette’s long-term injury, which occurred at the start of April, left a place in midfield and Choinière took it with flying colors. Now that he too is injured, Losada has brought forward defender Rudy Camacho, and he’s also been using Nathan Saliba on a more regular basis lately.
Saliba had had the confidence of Losada at the start of the season, but the level of play in MLS caught up with him a little. His number of minutes then decreased greatly in April and May.
The opportunity presents itself again for the 19-year-old Quebecer, and the head coach has often underlined his intensity and his aggressiveness on the field. Saliba’s progression makes him a little more unavoidable in the middle, in the absence of a few pillars.
“I was able to realize that it took a lot more effort in training to reach another level. This experience in the first half of the season helped me a lot, said Saliba. I have always been an intense player defensively. I don’t know if that’s what sets me apart from others, but so much the better if it is. I know that defensively, I’m someone who likes to have the ball and it’s important to get it. It’s part of my identity.”
CF Montreal continues at times to seek a little more offensive finishing in the last third, especially abroad. The injury to Romell Quioto, who still scored 15 goals last year, may have something to do with it.
Nevertheless, Chinonso Offor managed to open spaces up front and the chemistry between Mason Toye and Sunusi Ibrahim has been building for a few games. Partly for this reason, Losada wants to be patient with striker Jules-Anthony Vilsaint, who is full of promise but may not yet be ready to carry some of the attack on his shoulders.
“There is always this feeling that players who do not play are the solution to certain problems. If Jules hasn’t received many minutes, it’s because I have the feeling that he’s not ready. I’m not going to put a player on the pitch just because we’re having trouble scoring. I don’t want to throw him to the lions if he can’t give something extra. It is up to him to continue working and it is up to us to support him to help his progress,” insisted Losada.
Good words for Choinière
Selected to the MLS All-Star Team earlier this week, Choinière once again received accolades from his head coach and teammates.
A real multi-position metronome since the start of the campaign, the Quebecer was the logical choice according to Losada.
“Mathieu is a good example of a player who always put the team before the individual,” he said. He comes from the Academy, he is a Quebecer, there are many things to give pride. He’s a good example for young people too, because he worked hard for three or four years and waited for his chance. Sometimes young people want results quickly and they are impatient.”
Saliba, who has quietly taken a similar journey, agreed with his head coach.
“Mathieu is an inspiration to everyone thanks to his work ethic and mentality. To see his progress in training and during matches, it shows that the results come from hard work,” said Saliba.
Absent during the match against Charlotte FC, Choinière reportedly suffered a sprained right ankle against Nashville SC last Wednesday. His condition will be reassessed daily, but Losada was not optimistic about a appearance against New York City FC on Saturday.
The head coach also didn’t have good news regarding Lappalainen, who is not expected to be in uniform. As for Piette, he will not play even though he resumed training with his teammates this week.
2023-06-29 23:52:47
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