Decision Day: CF Montreal In Columbus Trying To Defy The Odds

CF Montreal once again faces their former coach with everything on the line.

CF Montreal’s season comes down to this one game and if things go their way they could find themselves in a playoff spot by Sunday Morning.

Hernan Losada, Joel Waterman, and Mahala Opoku all met the media on Thursday ahead of their trip to Ohio to discuss the matchup.

“The mindset is focusing and getting a win,” Opoku said in his opening answer. “It has been tough on the road and this game determines if we make the playoffs or not.”

CF Montreal still only has two wins on the road this year,so the chances of getting a win or a result on paper seem unlikely – but anything can happen on the pitch.

“We are going to fight to get the win. It’s all about the teamwork and the effort and we need to be focused.”

The Columbus Crew are one of the best teams offensively, so another task will be making sure their best players stay off the scoresheet.

“Not a lot of people think we can do it,” Waterman said in his opening response. “It’s a great opportunity for us to go into Columbus and be in control of our own faith.”

CF Montreal does control its own destiny but if they end with a loss they will need other results to go its way with the following three scenarios: the New York Redbulls to lose or draw against Nashville, the Chicago Fire losing or getting a draw against NYCFC, and Charlotte losing or drawing against Inter Miami.

“For us, we are just focused on getting a result. We play a good enough game to get into the playoffs.”

Waterman was asked about another game facing his former coach and teammate Rudy Camacho.

“It’s special but for us, the game stays the same and it’s about three points and making sure we perform well, and give ourselves the best chance to win.”

The last time CF Montreal played the Columbus Crew it was at Saputo Stadium on September 2nd with the Crew winning on the road. Wilfried Nancy and Rudy Camacho’s return to Montreal ended in a 4-2 scoreline.

“They like to play open and take chances but we play a similar formation as well…but we need to cover spaces better and we need to be defensively sound and we have a good game plan going in.”

Losada feels that the team is motivated even in the current situation they are in.

“We want to qualify for the playoffs and with a win, we can finish in eight place and earn a home game in the wild-card game and we will do everything to make it happen.”

Losada confirmed to the media that most likely we won’t see any changes to the starting eleven sticking with the one that beat the Portland Timbers 4-1 two weeks ago before the international break.

“There is so much on the line that should push us to stay focused even when we score or concede a goal and if we stay in the game till the end we have a chance.”