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CF Montreal Snaps Nashville’s Ten Game Unbeaten Streak
By The hot streak at home continued for CF Montreal as they managed to beat Nashville SC – the second-best team in the east – thanks to a first-half goal by Bryce Duke.
“To win against a team with a lot of quality, I think we had a great first half”, Losada mentioned in his opening statement. “Honestly with the ball, we controlled the game with the chances we had and we always found solutions.”
While there weren’t many offensive chances in the game, the home team got off to a good start though we didn’t see a shot on target for the first 27 minutes of the game.
“Obviously if you don’t score that second goal you are going to suffer but in the end, I was happy with the team’s performance.”
It was in the 28th minute Sunusi Ibrahim found himself with the ball at the side of the net and saw an incoming Bryce Duke and made a solid feed to Duke who powered the ball into the back of the net.
“We have great support at home with our amazing fans and that can make the difference.”
The rest of the match, the visitors attempted to tie the game but it was once again another solid performance from Jonathan Sirois, who wasn’t too busy while Nashville keeper Joe Willis made some big saves of his own.
I asked Losada if he was pleased with the way they were able to keep one of the best players in MLS, Hany Mukhtar, off the scoresheet.
“We did it well. We knew they were strong in two aspects: with set pieces and offensive transition. When they get the ball they get vertical and quick, and Mukhtar played a false nine so it was important to press him.”
“It’s a very good team. They went 10 games without losing, and they are a strong team. They have good players, and that’s why the three points are even bigger.”
Tasked with shutting Mukhtar down was Joel Waterman, and I asked him how he was able to do it and give his sense of the game.
“We knew he’s the guy that makes them tick”, Waterman answered. “No matter who else is playing you have to shut him down to have a good chance of winning and we nullified his chances and I thought we did a good job.”
Waterman was asked what was the message to the backline going into the game to hold everything together.
“It has been a theme of our game and I think we controlled the game in the first half and we had lots of pressure and we need to do a better job playing like that in the second half.”
Victor Wanyama, who has been stable in the midfield, also spoke about beating a strong team like Nashville and continuing to do well at home.
“We were aware of what he can do”, Wanyama responded when talking about Muhktar. “When we cut the space he has to drop and he is not dangerous anymore, and today that was the key.”
CF Montreal will be back in action on Saturday as they will travel to North Carolina to face Charlotte FC.