2023-07-09 20:41:55
MONTREAL — CF Montreal had a lot of ambitions when they returned to the game following a break of more than a week without a game in mid-June, but things haven’t been going as planned lately.
Whitewashed in its last three outings, the Montreal attack is looking for solutions. What also contrasts with the past few months is that Stade Saputo no longer seems to represent the intimidating fortress in the eyes of visiting teams.
After New York City FC scored their first road win of the season last week, Atlanta United secured their first win on home soil since March 11 by beating Bleu-blanc-noir 1-0, SATURDAY.
CF Montreal had a good first half once morest Atlanta, much like they did before once morest NYC FC or even Charlotte FC two weeks ago, but they weren’t able to take the lead .
For lack of finish, but perhaps also for lack of technical qualities, quite simply. And when New York City and Atlanta United scored the first goal, the Montrealers were unable to tie the game.
“We miss the last pass and when it comes we’re not there,” head coach Hernan Losada said. The truth is that the attacking players received several chances. We give trust, minutes, support and feedback, but it’s also up to them to show quality.”
Losada is just sharing facts. After 21 games this season, the team’s top scorers, Chinonso Offor and Romell Quioto, have only three goals each. Defending Quioto, he’s only played seven games in 2023, but it’s still unclear whether he’ll return to action this season.
Mathieu Choinière and Bryce Duke, two of CF Montreal’s creative elements, follow with two goals each, as does forward Mason Toye, who recently returned to play.
Looking at the club’s attacking staff, one can see that they are quite young, but no player looks really dangerous in the penalty area or 20 yards from the net.
“The guys are doing their best and they are working hard. Our offensive coach Eduardo Sebrango shows video footage so that there is constant improvement and we organize individual sessions. Our group of attackers is young and for some of them it is the first time in their career that they have been used in consecutive matches,” insisted Losada.
The head coach will soon be getting a helping hand, as youngster Kwadwo Opoku, acquired from Los Angeles FC earlier this week, will join his new team-mates in training.
Opoku’s arrival is probably not enough on its own to restore the worst attack of the 18 teams currently in position to make the playoffs, but it might have an impact when paired with a few comebacks.
Captain Samuel Piette returned to the bench on Saturday. Choinière and Lassi Lappalainen are still injured, but they seem to be making progress. Aaron Herrera and Zachary Brault-Guillard might also return with the Bleu-blanc-noir, depending on their country’s Gold Cup results.
Losada is watching all of this very carefully.
“We hope to be able to find players shortly. We will look at the results at the Gold Cup and if Choinière or Lappalainen can come back. We need them, he said. We have to stay united, analyze the mistakes and keep working because there are still a lot of points to be picked up.
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