It will be Patrice Bernier’s evening at the Stade Saputo as tonight we celebrate his induction into the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame.
The adversary will be the New England Revolution, and it’s another decision that’s down to the last detail under the administration of Gabriel Gervais.
“It’s special because my last game was against this team and I think this is the team I’ve scored the most goals against. [4] “I remembered Bernier this morning.
“Out of 18 seasons, I’ve spent nine at the Montreal Impact. I gained experience before leaving to then return to the club where I started. »
It goes without saying that he will happily live this moment with those who applauded him for six seasons before he hung up his boots in autumn 2017.
“It will make me happy to experience this with the supporters. I will be able to communicate with everyone during this time. It’s always good to know that you’re leaving something behind the field. »
Give up hockey
Bernier enjoyed a very enviable career that took him to Norway, Germany and Denmark before returning home when the club entered MLS in 2012.
“We always say to dream,” said Bernier. Being from Montreal and Quebec where I had the opportunity to play hockey, I was told that I was a bit crazy when I quit hockey because there are many pathways in this sport. »
It has to be said that the Brossard citizen was quite talented as he played two seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and wore the colors of the Foreurs de Val-d’Or and the Faucons de Sherbrooke from 1996 to 1998. He has 73 points in 143 regular games. Not bad for a defender.
It was indeed a little odd back then to abandon hockey in favor of soccer, a sport that had few outlets at the time.
“So you played for the Montreal Impact and where did you go then? I can say that I had a chance to live my dream, play 18 seasons, play with the national team, against Brazil or Portugal,” he said.
A model
Captain of the Impact in his last four campaigns, Bernier has been a true role model for his recent teammates, including Samuel Piette, who dreams of following in his footsteps.
“I would like to be that person. He is the club’s eternal captain and has done so much for Quebec football. What is certain is that later, at the end of my career, I would like to have my name next to Mauro’s [Biello], Patrice and Quebec football greats. »
When Piette talks about his former team-mate like that, it’s because Bernier quickly grasped his role upon returning to his heart’s club after a decade-long absence.
“When I came back to the club I realized that I became not only a player but also a spokesman because I was the only Quebecer on the team. »
A surprise
We’ve known for a few months that Bernier was the next to become an all-time Canadian soccer player. At the beginning of the summer there was a ceremony in Vancouver.
The main person involved returned today to the circumstances in which he learned the news.
“I was in a Zoom meeting with employees at a company I have an interest in. My father was there too, he is an accountant and my employees wanted to get to know him. »
“I noticed that several of us attended the meeting and Samuel Piette and Mauro Biello showed up to tell me that I would be inducted into the Canadian Soccer Hall of Fame,” he said.
The opponent in 5 points
BIG CHANGE
Last season, Revolution led the competition by finishing first in MLS with 73 points. This year, however, things are very different as the team battles for a playoff spot. Has head coach Bruce Arena’s impact wore off?
ABSENT
In addition to being tired of gaming in the middle of the week, the “Revs” also have to deal with failures. Henry Kessler (COVID-19 protocol), Ismael Tajouri-Shradi (leg) and Gustavo Bou (leg) were absent on Wednesday.
LIFE WITHOUT BUKSA
Part of New England’s troubles can be explained by the loss of Polish forward Adam Buksa, who played his last game on May 21 and then moved to Lens, France, in July. He had seven goals and two assists in 10 games.
PRODUCTION DECLINE
Offensive and defensive of the “Revs” are undoubtedly not the same as in the last campaign. In 2021, the team has scored 65 goals and conceded 41 in 34 games. After 25 games this season, the team has only 38 goals and has already given up 36.
WARNING
It will be easy to take New England lightly, but the club still managed 22 goals in 13 away games compared to just 16 in 12 games at Gillette Stadium.
The day and the night
CF Montreal return to the Stade Saputo on a six-game unbeaten streak (4-0-2), but tomorrow night’s opponents, the New England Revolution, are unbeatable as they are five-game unbeaten (2- 0-3). .
Montreal is second in the Eastern Conference with 43 points, five fewer than the Philadelphia Union, which played a game more.
A win over the “Revs” tomorrow night, coupled with a Union loss to DC United in Washington, would put the team in an excellent position to capture first place, but more importantly secure at least one home playoff game .
“We believed in ourselves, we’re looking at first position and we know we’re very close, assisted midfielder Mathieu Choinière today. If you tell me that earlier this year, I might say no, but now we really believe it. »
reverse situation
Unlike CF Montreal, the Revolution is chasing a playoff spot. Last season it was exactly the opposite.
“I remember last year New England beat everyone and were top of the league while we were struggling and we were a long way from the playoffs,” noted head coach Wilfried Nancy Thursday.
The “Revs” are sixth in the East, just within the playoff picture, but the battle is very close as Atlanta United, who are in 13th place, are just five points behind.
“They may need to push to get points and move up the table,” said midfielder Samuel Piette. But that means a team that does that might open up their game a little more and if you give us a little space we can capitalize on that with the offensive weapons we have. »
fatigue
Montreal also has the advantage of being rested after a week of training at home.
New England drew 2-2 against a direct opponent in Wednesday’s playoff race in Toronto.
“Of course there will be fatigue on their side, but we expect them as we approach Houston or New York City,” Piette said.
“Maybe we can use the midweek fatigue of their game to attack them from the start. »
♦ Defender Rudy Camacho is out with a shoulder injury.