CF Montreal can forget the ups and downs of its season as only one game remains, the one it will play in Columbus on Saturday, where a place in the playoffs is at stake.
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The basic scenario is quite simple for Bleu-Blanc-Noir: a win secures qualification. In case of a setback or a draw, we have to focus on the games of Chicago Fire, New York Red Bulls or Charlotte FC.
“I hope I don’t have to look at the other results,” head coach Hernan Losada admitted at a press conference on Thursday. I definitely won’t be watching at halftime. I want to focus on giving the best pep talk possible.”
The CFM players must put on their blinders and focus on the main goal: beating the club of their former pilot Wilfried Nancy. The crew is not an easy target, especially since this duel will take place abroad. Montreal has won just twice in 16 games away from home at Stade Saputo.
“Our focus is on winning as it was difficult away from home. It’s a game that depends on whether we get into the playoffs. It’s like the finale of a trophy. We will fight for victory,” said striker Mahala Opoku.
The rest no longer counts
The Montreal team can be happy that they are still eighth in the Eastern Association despite a series of seven games without a win. He bounced back two weeks ago with a 4-1 win over the Portland Timbers.
However, we can forget that game, Lassi Lappalainen’s cathartic late goal the previous week against the Houston Dynamo, and even the 4-2 loss to the Crew on September 2nd in Montreal.
“I feel like people didn’t believe in us a few times this year and last year. It has always been like this. “We have an opportunity to go to Columbus and take our destiny into our own hands,” recognized Joel Waterman, Losada’s most starting defenseman this season.
Paid strategy?
There will be no room for frustration or disappointment for the coach on Saturday. We will have to give it our all, no matter what scenario arises.
“There is so much at stake that it should easily serve as motivation. Even if we score or concede a goal and have bad moments, we have to stay focused and motivated. If you stay in the game until the end, you still have a chance,” argued Losada.
He plans to continue to rely on the attacking trident of Opoku, Romell Quioto and Sunusi Ibrahim. The trio looked good against Portland as they were effective both with and without the ball. According to Waterman, offensive players will have their chances against the Crew.
“You saw it in the last game, there is a lot of space on each side. We have to cover them better than they do. This time we have to act more responsibly defensively. […] We have a good game plan and hope to be able to implement it well,” explained the Brit.
Remember that eighth place in the table allows you to host the play-off game at home, while ninth and final place allows access to the playoffs. CF Montreal must defend what is theirs.