Opoku ‘feels at home’ as CF Montreal looks to rediscover form against Chicago Fire
With its goalless streak reaching 333 minutes after a 1-0 loss to Atlanta United on Saturday, CF Montreal should shortly shift its focus to a midweek sport on the street in opposition to the Chicago Fire.
Chicago (6-8-8) has discovered new life because the return of head coach Frank Klopas — who coached the Fire from 2011-2013 — two months in the past.
He has helped the group transfer from 14th in Major League Soccer’s Eastern Conference to the thick of the playoff race. After successful simply three of their first 17 matches, the Fire have received three of their final 4, together with a 1-0 win over second-placed Nashville on Saturday.
“These are important games and important points that will count at the end of the season, so we just have to stay positive,” stated head coach Hernan Losada earlier than Wednesday’s sport. “With a new coach, they play much more compact and are better organized, so it’ll be a difficult challenge to break them down on the road.”
Montreal (8-11-2) has additionally recovered from a poor begin and at present occupies the ultimate post-season slot within the East. However, previous habits have begun manifesting themselves once more as a scarcity of offensive creation has led to its longest objective drought of the season.
Enter Kwadwo Opoku, a dynamic younger ahead acquired from Los Angeles FC final week that’s anticipated to carry tempo, creativity, and ending to an attacking corps in determined want of all three. While the emergence of Denis Bouanga and the dominance of Carlos Vela have restricted his utilization this season, he had 12 targets in 34 video games for LAFC final yr as a rookie.
“The welcome they gave me was amazing, I felt at home right away,” stated Opoku, who’s reunited with former LAFC teammate Bryce Duke in Montreal.
“This is a big step for me and my career, as a young player you always want to go for it, and this is a big opportunity for me,” Opoku stated. “It also feels good to already know someone like Bryce for so long. We played together as were roommates when we travelled, and we’ve stayed good friends.”
The 21-year-old Ghanaian ranks among the many league’s greatest in probability creation each on his personal and as a part of an attacking motion. Those are each components that Montreal has struggled with.
When confronted with an opposing low block, the group appears to expire of concepts and struggles to play the ultimate killer ball wanted to seek out the again of the web.
The extra Montreal controls possession, the seemingly worse off it’s. This yr in MLS, it has had over 55 per cent possession on six events, successful simply a type of video games. However, 5 of its eight wins this season have come from video games the place it was outpossessed.
“We just need more creativity, myself included. More runs, more shots, and being more aggressive. It’s no secret that we haven’t been good enough in the final third and haven’t been creating enough chances,” stated striker Mason Toye. “I’m super grateful that we were able to get (Opoku), he’s definitely going to help us create some more opportunities and score some goals.”
The sport will even be a reunion of types for Chicago striker and all-star Kei Kamara, who grew to become a fan favorite in Montreal when he was introduced in as a veteran final season. His possibility for an additional season was picked up by the membership, however after contract extension talks broke down, he publicly requested for a commerce within the low season.
Montreal is his joint-favourite group to play in opposition to, scoring 13 targets in opposition to membership all through his profession.
