There will be a rare visit to Houston on Saturday when CF Montreal will be the visitors to the Dynamo lawn. Texas hasn’t been very kind to Bleu Blanc Noir due to its history of harsh temperatures.
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The two clubs have a very special common history. The visiting team has never won, neither at the PNC Stadium nor at the Stade Saputo. They have met 16 times since 2012, with Montreal winning 2-0 at home last November.
“I’m really looking forward to this game because I like the challenges in life,” head coach Wilfried Nancy said at a press conference on Thursday. We have a good challenge because we’ve never won there. I’ve been there several times and it’s extremely difficult to play there because it’s very hot, the pitch is big, the grass is a certain way… Every time we start the games properly, then after 10-15 minutes, ” Blackout”.
The occasion is well chosen to cause a sensation. CF Montreal have been as successful away from home this season and Dynamo are 12th out of 14 teams in Major League Soccer’s Western Conference. He also dropped the flag in his last three duels.
the sprint
This match in Houston also begins the streak of 10 duels that will crown the 2022 regular season. When Texas returns, Wilfried Nancy’s men will play only teams from the East, direct opponents in the table.
That’s why the coach has to rely on his entire group, starting with the goalkeepers. Sebastian Breza and James Pantemis have been back and forth in goal lately and Nancy will continue in that direction.
“I like the variety. […] Earlier this year I said we need a first and a second [gardien] and I keep saying it has to be. But at the moment, in terms of the profile of goalkeepers that we have, in terms of the chemistry that they have between them, I think it’s an interesting solution to do rotations,” he said, without the identity of his bouncer to be confirmed Saturday.
Important discussions
Nancy has used a type of penalty for a few games, which she rarely mods. Some starters or substitutes were given less playing time due to their performance. And the coach wanted to be honest with them.
He called those who had played less in the past week and spoke to them individually. He doesn’t compromise with these players as they still help maintain a certain dynamic within the group.
“I tried to be as clear with them as possible to give them their current situation. I told them what they need to improve and yes I know they are playing a little less but they are extremely important. As long as I have these players, I’m counting on them,” he said.
A struggling player tackles midfielder Joaquin Torres. The Argentine is a regular substitute and hasn’t scored since May. Nancy certainly had a talk with him to win back his trust.
“The only way is to work harder in training,” the 25-year-old said through an interpreter. That’s what I do, I work twice as hard. It’s the only way I can get to the level I know I can get.”
The opponent in five points
– Loss at home recently
The Houston Dynamo have lost their last three games and have only one point at home since July. They drew 2-2 with FC Dallas at PNC Stadium, but were also defeated 1-2 by Charlotte FC and Minnesota United.
The team is ranked 12th in the Western Conference, a position they have known well for five years. Remember CF Montreal are third in the East with five wins and 15 points more than Dynamo.
-Hector Herrera
Despite his six games in MLS and no points, Hector Herrera was invited to play in the All-Star Game earlier this week. The Mexican midfielder is a real star, having played for Atlético de Madrid in the Spanish league until recently.
The 32-year veteran is slow to make an impact, but eventually he’ll do some damage. Right now Houston is losing more since Herrera’s arrival.
-Team under construction
Head coach Paulo Nagamura admitted after last Saturday’s loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps: Dynamo doesn’t have what it takes to compete with the Western Conference greats. According to him, the Houston lineup will need to use multiple transfer windows to bolster their ranks.
On July 27, the team welcomed their only player of the summer window, 19-year-old Colombian forward Nelson Quinones.
-Undiversified attack
Dynamo have scored 29 goals this season and they were the work of just seven men. For comparison: At FC Montreal, 13 different players scored on goal. Houston even sacked Canadian winger Tyler Pasher last week, who has scored twice this season.
Beware of Sebastian Ferreira and Darwin Quintero, however, who both have seven achievements to their credit.
– Will Steve Clark be there?
Houston would really be in a worse situation if it weren’t for Steve Clark’s performance. However, the shoulder of the No. 1 keeper makes him a doubtful case for the Montreal side. Two weeks ago against Philadelphia Union, he was forced out of the game in the 26th minute after touching Alejandro Bedoya. After conceding a goal, he gave way to Michael Nelson who let five balls pass… A failure by Clark, caged against the Whitecaps, would almost be a disaster.