CF Montreal is still in control of its destiny, even though there are plenty of rivals in the standings. The last few weeks have been difficult, but the team is still in good shape according to their captain.
Samuel Piette knows better than anyone what is at stake in Saturday’s game at the Stade Saputo. A win against the Portland Timbers was almost necessary. The teams behind Montreal in the standings remain silent for now, but one of them will end up pulling away if the Bleu-Blanc-Noir don’t respond.
• Also read: CF Montreal rehabilitated itself at the very last second
“There are still a lot of points on the table, a lot of missed opportunities to punch this ticket to the playoffs. [On aimerait] Rest easy and have a little less pressure. We are lucky to still be in the race,” said the Quebecer during a press conference on Thursday.
CF needs to shake things up to end its seven-game winning streak. However, the Timbers, rare guests, are tough opponents. Unlike Montreal, Portland has not suffered a loss in its last seven games.
“It’s a long journey for them,” Piette admitted, referring to the almost 4,000 kilometers that separate the two cities. They didn’t play on Wednesday but we’ll go at it again with the knife between our teeth to get those three points. Then we will see how we are positioned for the last game against Columbus. We’re relatively lucky, even if we won’t get the results we want.”
The last duel between Montreal and Portland dates back to 2019, when the local favorites won 2-1 at the Stade Saputo.
Before the break
At the Quebec metropolis stadium on Wednesday evening, the football club also signed a draw that looked like a victory. This point against Houston Dynamo could make the difference in the end.
Head coach Hernan Losada doesn’t have to say anything more to motivate his troops.
“You don’t need to say much. When you look at the rankings, you already know that anything is possible. I think the players put in a lot of effort, not just in the last game but throughout the season,” he assured.
CF Montreal will return in two weeks to play its final regular season matchup against the Crew in Columbus on October 21st. Meanwhile, some players will use the international break to join their country’s team.
Samuel Piette and Mathieu Choinière are among the guests on the Canadian side and will travel to Japan for a training camp.
“I think it’s a good thing to get out of the bubble we’re in right now, a bubble under pressure. Then you go to the national team and of course you have this pressure to perform. But a change of scenery, switching off, seeing new faces, having different conversations, I think that can only be good for you mentally. [Ça va permettre] “To do a reset before the last game,” Piette explained.