Montreal Club eliminated from the Canadian Championship “I feel ashamed”

In one of the strangest atmospheres we have ever seen inside any sporting venue, CFM were eliminated from the Canadian Championship by the Hamilton Forge, a Canadian Premier League (PLC) club, exiting by a score of 2-1 (3-2). total goals) to boos from supporters.

“How do you explain this poor performance of your team?,” asks colleague Sydney Foe, from BBM Sports, to Laurent Courtois.

“I can't explain it,” the coach replies in a weak voice, almost inaudible despite the microphone being plugged into the speakers in the Saputo Stadium conference room.

“What’s your half-time message?” Fowo asks again.

“I feel ashamed.”

We ask him to explain more.

“I'm ashamed of what happened in Toronto. In general, and for our supporters who made the trip. The face we showed. The fact that he was replaced in that effort. [Ce soir]I find it difficult to explain this first half, which is very lethargic. We all have ambitions. I would like us to match ambitions with actions. I didn't see that in the first half. I'm very disappointed, for the club and for the fans. »

To add to the unusual nature of this quarter-final, the match had to be stopped for an hour and 50 minutes, just as the players emerged from the tunnel after half-time. The session resumed at 10:25 p.m.

Hamilton builds the lead

Indeed, the number of fans were few on Wednesday evening, and they had to make do with the energy shown by the two main groups of supporters in the first half. This is because the IMFC collection and the 1642 MTL still remain silent until the first place in the country, as the content of the previous results appears as if the management of the engagement and the “grinding” is displayed by the… Equipped.

Which led to an uncomfortable mix of silence, the cries of seagulls, and some fans trying to liven up the crowd as much as they could. And above all, grumbles towards the CF Montreal players, who were completely out of X again on Wednesday.

The first 45 minutes of the quarter-final second leg were perhaps the worst CFM have played in recent memory. Nothing works. And between Montreal's few spurts of sad misses, Forge played the game.

Daniel Parra hit a stunning shot in the 14th minute^H The minute Sebastian Briza was unable to block it. 1-0 formulation. The negative noise emanating from the stands intensified.

After 10 minutes, Hamilton took advantage of Montreal's large defensive gaps again. Kwasi Pukhe doubled the Hammers' lead, and it was well deserved. Le Forge showed up in Montreal with the dog, a desire that has been sorely lacking among Courtois' men in recent weeks.

This second goal forced CFM to score three goals in hopes of qualifying to the semi-finals.

But what are the blue, white and black carriers missing so that they can regain a little willpower, an imbalance they have been publicly trying to correct for a month?

” [Il va falloir] “Wake up and look in the mirror,” explained Mathieu Choiniere, a comment that keeps popping up in club press conferences these days. »

Courtois was ready to talk about reviewing the physical “programming” to ensure that the players “presented at their best mental and athletic levels.” But he also returned to the idea of ​​“the basic elements of commitment and desire” to get out of this recession.

We have to admit, after only one win in 12 matches, that the problem is deeper than that.

Better version in the second half

Then there was the rain, the thunderstorms, and the storm that seemed to not want to leave the skies above Saputo Stadium.

Then, yes, CF Montreal played with more desire after returning from the long break. Backed by an active group once again, the locals besieged the Forge for almost the entire half.

At 66^H, it paid off. Zuhair's shot found Victor Wanyama's header inside the penalty area, making the score 2-1.

But Montreal still has to find fault twice. This did not happen.

After the final whistle, Samuel Peet and Mathieu Choiniere, in particular, spoke for long minutes with members of the group. The discussion was intense, then ended amicably, with Peet eventually giving his shirt to a fan.

“We saw the sign,” Choiniere said. The group displayed the word “unacceptable,” in particular, throughout the meeting.

“They are right. They are at every game, singing for us, and they even made a trip to Toronto. The least we can do is show that we want to play this game, push, and make our fans proud.”

Remember, winning the Canadian Championship is often set as a major goal by the organization from the beginning of the season. Just like participating in the MLS series. This is actually the first missing goal.

Even when the seagulls went to bed.

to rise

Saputo DJ Stadium

During the very long minutes of waiting for the weather delay, Saputo Stadium's resident DJ played a series of songs for the occasion. It's raining men weather girls, Rust from the rain By Billy Talent, Somewhere over the rainbow By Iz Kamakawiwo'ole You get the idea. Better entertainment than what the local team has provided so far.

In decline

Joaquin Sosa

The Uruguayan was substituted at half-time, and deservedly so. His passes from behind were often either off target or straight into the legs of the first Ontario player in front of him. It was too weak for evening purposes.