2024 – CF Montreal | Adjustments will be required for away matches

(Montreal) CF Montreal has scored as many points in eight away games in 2024 as it did last season, but still has a lot of work to do to improve its game.

There was something about the blue-and-white. His trip to Columbus ended in a convincing 0-0 draw against reigning MLS champions the Crew last week.

With the Crew undefeated in MLS for over a year, Laurent Courtois' side showed great defensive strength and even had a few scoring chances. Seven days later he was unrecognizable.

Against Nashville SC, at Geodis Park, CF Montreal (3-4-3) found very few answers in attack and were physically dominant in defense, leading to a 4-1 defeat. After the meeting, Courtois pointed out things that could be fixed.

“In the first minutes of the game, there was not enough confidence in the transmissions. We hesitated. If we decide to play like that and we're consistent, it's going to be tough against such a strong team in transition. “There were too many failures that we know about during the installation and some elements of the transition,” he said.

In such a tough league for foreign teams, the Montrealers are looking for stability, as well as some density in the third part of the field.

A month ago, they came into Seattle full of confidence against the Sounders, who had yet to win their first five games of the season. Result ? A bitter 5-0 loss.

Courtois made sure his men made no mistake against Nashville SC, who have not tasted victory in their last five matches, but he may have to prepare them better for what comes next.

“It's impossible for us to concede too many goals because we didn't have a good day. Mentally, collectively, we still have to not be naive about matches. I am responsible. We understood what we are doing well and what we can improve,” said the head coach.

Against the Sounders and Nashville SC, Bleu Blanc-Noir trailed 2-0 after the first half. He could get back on track with the next goal, but each time he was caught early in the second half.

The important thing for CF Montreal players is to find a way to avoid defeat and stay in the match as long as possible.

“The main thing for me is how to stop the bleeding,” midfielder Raheem Edwards said. We need to fix this and not be too naive. When we fall behind, we want to push, but we have to do it wisely. It's a little worrying, but our next step is to stop the bleeding if we concede a goal early in the game. »

Despite this reel, Captain Samuel Piette prefers to watch the whole thing. He also noted that the process is just beginning, with only 10 games left in the season.

“I'm not worried. There have been good results and very bad results abroad. This is good awareness. Then you go to Orlando and Columbus, you get big points. You go to Dallas and you win. You have to find a balance. It wasn't great against Nashville, but we've got to keep going,” he said.

To continue, CF Montreal will have to do it regularly in May. That loss against Nashville SC started a streak of nine games in 29 days, including the Canadian championship.

At the very least, we can say that depth and fitness will be tested, and Montreal is dealing with several injuries, including forwards Josef Martinez and Matias Coccaro.