After two stinging defeats before the international break in September, doubt had set in the CF Montreal camp. Then, the spark miraculously arrived.
Head coach Laurent Courtois has hammered home in recent weeks that nothing has changed in his speech. However, in the space of seven games, his team that was going nowhere pulled itself together to qualify for the playoffs thanks to its eighth place in the Eastern Conference.
As the final seconds of a 2-0 victory over New York City FC ticked away Saturday night, the crowd at Stade Saputo cheered their favorites. It was a far cry from about two months ago, when Montreal was trounced 5-0 at home by the New England Revolution. The following week, they fell 4-1 in Cincinnati to fall just one point out of last place in the East.
“There were doubts for sure,” said captain Samuel Piette. “After two losses like that, doubts arise. We believed we had the elements in the squad and the personnel to turn things around. Maybe it was a question of not doing too much and not doing our own thing. We had to bring energy.”
Part of that energy has come from two new acquisitions: 21-year-old midfielder Caden Clark and 20-year-old right-back Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty.
The impact of these two young players has been immediate thanks to their contributions, but also because they have elevated the play of their teammates. Clark has collected four goals and four assists in seven last games while Marshall-Rutty has been very effective in attack and defense because of his intensity and passion.
“I think Caden and Jahkeele coming in has been a big help. When you see Caden bringing that energy and quality, you have a guy like Bryce Duke who also wants to be recognized and wants to contribute offensively. It’s the same thing with Jahkeele, who just wants to be on the field and play. He’s starting to do well and you have Raheem Edwards on the other side who wants to be at his level,” Piette noted.
We should not forget the contribution of forward Josef Martinez, who also benefited from a boost of energy playing with Clark and Duke.
The 31-year-old Venezuelan, a former MLS and MLS Cup MVP, has six goals in his last five games, showing he still has some left in his footing on a young Montreal team looking for experience.
“Josef Martinez, at this level, has been huge for us,” Courtois insisted. “Everybody has stepped up their game and the new guys have brought in some fresh blood, but what Josef has done for us in the last two months is world class.”
It’s not just on the pitch where things have started to unblock, but also outside.
Before the game against Charlotte FC in mid-September, which started a streak of five wins in the last seven games of the CF Montréal season (5-1-1), Piette organized a small karting activity. What seemed anecdotal at first glance ultimately had the effect of rallying the Bleu-blanc-noir players.
“I got a message from Patrice Bernier talking about karting. It paid off,” Piette said with a laugh. “It was one of the first activities we did together outside of the field. That’s where you get to know the guys differently. You realize there are some ‘good jacks’ on the team. You think maybe you want to fight for these guys. I think that’s what we found again, fighting for each other.”
“Next year we’re going to focus on doing more of that,” added defenseman Joel Waterman. “We’re closer than ever.”
For a young club in transition, hosting a playoff game Tuesday against Atlanta United provides experience for the future. Even if, by the admission of Courtois and the players, the playoffs had already started for a while for them.
“It’s very enriching for the youngsters to experience these moments in the playoffs, but it was the same thing in the previous seven games. I hope they don’t put more pressure on themselves than that on Tuesday,” Courtois said. “There are so many things in which we are on the way to being better. We have to continue to do these things that put us in a good position.”
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