CF Montreal Struggles to Secure Away Wins, Looks to Charlotte for Redemption
Montreal, QC – CF Montreal continues to face challenges when playing away from their home stadium, Stade Saputo. The team’s inability to secure victories on opposing courts has become a recurring theme this season, causing frustration among players and fans alike. However, their upcoming visit to Charlotte presents a great opportunity for redemption, as the home team has not won in their last four games.
Montreal’s record of 1-8-1 on away games is difficult to explain, especially considering their success in similar situations last year. The Bleu-Blanc-Noir recently achieved impressive victories at home, defeating Minnesota and Nashville with scores of 4-0 and 1-0, respectively. Bryce Duke, a midfielder for CF Montreal, believes that the team should draw inspiration from these wins and replicate their performance on the road.
“We have to play the same way. I know that away games are difficult and you have to adapt to a different atmosphere. The game plan changes a bit. We have to stay calm, stick to our plan, and if we score quickly, that can give us more leeway,” Duke stated during a press briefing on Thursday.
Head coach Hernan Losada is also emphasizing the importance of utilizing the confidence gained over the past few weeks. Facing a direct opponent in the standings, Montreal currently holds a two-point advantage over Charlotte FC in the Eastern Conference. However, Bank of America Stadium, the home ground of Charlotte, is known for its artificial turf and hostile spectators, making the challenge even greater for CF Montreal.
Despite the team’s recent win over Nashville SC on Wednesday, Mason Toye admitted that he and his teammates are feeling fatigued. Nevertheless, the tempting reward of receiving donuts for every shutout achieved serves as motivation for the players.
“The guys are a little tired; we will have to recover quickly for Saturday. It was another great home win, another shutout. We get donuts every time we get a shutout. It’s always nice to arrive in the morning with donuts,” Toye expressed.
One position that will catch the eye in Losada’s starting XI on Saturday is that of right-back. With Aaron Herrera (Guatemala) and Zachary Brault-Guillard (Canada) currently on national team duty and Lassi Lappalainen still injured, Mathieu Choinière may return to the position he has previously held.
“He is a player who has already played in this position. We’ll see. I find it a shame because I like the work he does in midfield. Now we are in a bit of a special situation,” Losada pondered.
Following their visit to Charlotte, CF Montreal will return to Stade Saputo for two consecutive home games against New York City FC on July 1 and Atlanta United the following Saturday. The team hopes to secure a much-needed away victory before returning to their home turf.
How does CF Montreal plan to translate their recent success at home into away games
Environment, but we have the talent and the ability to get the job done,” Duke said. “We’ve shown that we can dominate matches at home, and now it’s about carrying that same energy and intensity on the road.”
The team’s struggles away from home can be attributed to a variety of factors. One major factor has been their inability to convert scoring opportunities. In away games, CF Montreal has struggled to find the back of the net, often squandering potential game-winning chances. This lack of offensive efficiency has put more pressure on the defense, and as a result, the team has conceded crucial goals in key moments.
Another issue has been the team’s inconsistency in maintaining possession. CF Montreal has struggled to control the flow of the game and dictate the pace when playing in unfamiliar surroundings. This has allowed opposing teams to take advantage and exploit defensive gaps, resulting in goals conceded.
However, the upcoming match against Charlotte presents an opportunity for CF Montreal to break the pattern and turn their away fortunes around. Charlotte, currently in a four-game winless streak, has struggled to find their form and regain momentum. This presents an opening for CF Montreal to capitalize and secure a much-needed away victory.
Head Coach Wilfried Nancy believes that the team’s recent success at home can be translated into away games, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a positive mindset and sticking to their game plan.
“We have shown that we can play at a high level and produce results. It’s about transferring that same mentality and performance on the road,” Nancy said. “We have been working on our away game strategies in training, and I believe that we are ready to step up and secure these crucial points.”
CF Montreal’s upcoming clash with Charlotte provides an opportunity for the team to bounce back, regain confidence, and prove that they can be a formidable force away from home. With the talent and potential within the squad, there is no doubt that CF Montreal has the ability to turn their away fortunes around and compete at the highest level.
CF Montreal has been facing a tough challenge with their away games, but this match against Charlotte might just be the opportunity for them to turn the tide. Let’s see if they can finally make amends and secure a much-needed win. Go CF Montreal!