For the rare time this season, CF Montreal have emerged victorious from one of their duels. However, we will soon have to forget this triumph in the Canadian championship, as better teams are waiting around the corner.

Without disregarding the Vaughan Azzurri, a semi-professional team from Ontario, it’s not the New York Red Bulls who will host the bleu-blanc-noir at Saputo Stadium on Saturday. Still, that 2-0 proved there were still things that worked.

“It’s a completely different game, with opponents of a different level,” head coach Hernan Losada said at a press conference on Thursday. We know the quality of the Red Bulls. [Ils ont] a very clear style of play with pressure and duels, it won’t be easy. It won’t be the same game as on Tuesday.

New York is no more impressive than Montreal this season with just one win in eight games. The Red Bulls have conceded very few goals, but scored just as few, and have five draws under their belt.

“We have to find the ingredients. Defender Rudy Camacho argued that the win on Saturday was super important for everyone. For group confidence for the rest of the season. It mainly depends on how you play. We will have to find solutions. We are looking for you.”

escape the pressure

Gerhard Struber’s men like to go on the offensive and disrupt defenders when they have control of the ball. Losada will also be spoiled for choice when it comes to his last line of defense as most of the players are in good shape.

“With a team that’s putting a lot of pressure on, you have to be smart and try to take that first line of pressure off,” he said. Every game is different. I’m going to ask my players to play a little faster under build to give attacking players more time to deliver [le ballon] between the lines.”

With all this jargon, let’s remember that speed will be an advantage on one side or the other. Ariel Lassiter showed great against Vaughan in the left lane and his profile as a quick winger seems to please the Argentinian pilot. In the middle it’s also Bryce Duke, who has established himself after being taken on in exchange for Kamal Miller last week.

“They have already played two games. They quickly got used to our style of play and to their new teammates. They bring a lot of freshness to the team,” added Losada.

After Saturday’s game, CF Montreal returns to the streets to take on Sporting Kansas City on April 29th.