Alistair Johnston believes a run to MLS Cup for CF Montreal could show helpful to the Canadian Men’s National Team’s World Cup preparations.
Wilfried Nancy’s facet beat Orlando City 2-0 in Round One of the Playoffs to arrange an Eastern Conference Semi-Final conflict with defending champions NYCFC on Sunday.
Montreal had 5 gamers on the CanMNT’s most up-to-date roster, with Johnston joined by Kamal Miller, Joel Waterman, Ismael Kone, and Samuel Piette.
You’d forgive Canada head coach John Herdman for watching this Sunday’s recreation with a sense of unease with the Reds’ World Cup opener towards Belgium only a month away. However, Johnston believes a Playoffs run would function the proper method for CF Montreal’s Canadian contingent to remain match forward of the massive journey to Qatar.
“It’s so difficult to replicate match fitness, and especially World Cup match fitness, where it’s just at such a different level of intensity that none of us have ever experienced before. It’s really difficult to just tell a guy to go out after playing a couple, maybe an exhibition match or two or some intrasquads, to go out there and get ready to take on Romelu Lukaku,” Johnston mentioned (through TSN).
“So, you know, we look at it as a great opportunity not only for us with CF Montreal to go far and potentially lift some silverware here but also the chance that it is going to help us in the long run.”
Of course, there aren’t any ensures that Montreal will go any additional within the Playoffs. NYCFC are, as talked about, defending champions and having fun with a run of 5 consecutive victories throughout all competitions.
Coming off the again of a powerful 3-0 victory over Inter Miami in Round One, confidence might be excessive amongst Nick Cushing’s males.
“They’re a really good team. There’s obviously been a bit of change, you know [head coach Ronny Delia] and losing [Valentin Castellanos] but at the same time this is still the same core that has gone and done a lot of things,” Johnston mentioned of Sunday’s opposition.
“It should be a really exciting game and I think all of us are up for it. It does really kind of bring out the joy playing in a match like this because you know they’re not just going to sit deep and bunker and launch it long. It’s going to be more of a free-flowing game, and for us, that kind of plays into our hand as well. So, we’re excited for that.”
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