Football Season Guide

CF Montreal weren't expected to match the dizzying heights of their 2022 campaign which saw them finish 2nd in the Eastern Conference with a club-record points tally and reach the semi-finals of the play-offs. The departure of popular coach Wilfried Nancy, along with key players like Djordje Mihailovic & Ismaël Kone were the first signs that there would be a significant drop-off in the 2023 season. Hernan Losada was a surprise choice to replace Nancy and a complete departure from the possession-based football the supporters had become accustomed to. The fans never got on board with Losada's more workmanlike style of play. The manager wasn't given a great deal to work with in the transfer market and lost six of the first seven league games. Despite that, the Quebecers went on a fine run of six straight wins in the spring and gave themselves a real chance of making the play-offs going into the run-in. A poor end to the season, which ironically saw them lose their last game to ex-manager Nancy's new club Columbus Crew, ultimately meant they missed out on a top 7 spot. Losada has almost inevitably not been retained for the 2024 season and the club have appointed French coach Laurent Courtois, who will be taking his first job in a top flight league. The new manager has been given far greater backing in the transfer market. The loss of Romell Quioto, the club's third highest ever goalscorer, has been remedied by the arrival of one of the greatest goalscorers in MLS history Josef Martinez and Uruguayan striker Matías Cóccaro who arrives as a Designated Player. The playmaker issue was addressed midway through last season with Bryce Duke's arrival but the club have strengthened in that area with the acquisition of Dominik Yankov. The backline has also been bolstered with the arrival of Joaquin Sosa who has played in the Italian top flight. Raheem Edwards and Ruan will also add pace in the wingback positions. Reasons to be positive for Montreal fans.