The U15 and U17 teams earned two convincing wins against FC Boston Bolts on Sunday, October 2, at Centre Nutrilait, a positive sign ahead of the Academy's upcoming home derby against Toronto FC this weekend.
The U17s get the job done
The U17s were back in action this week following an emotional last-gasp win at FC Westchester on September 24. In a week highlighted by the call-up of seven CF Montréal Academy players to a Canada Soccer youth national team camp this October, both age groups emerged victorious.
The game was evenly matched in the first half when Sebastien Udell Joseph hit the left post just before halftime. His attacking teammate Marc-Alexandre Happi Emaga eventually found the back of the net with a left-footed strike on the hour mark for his second MLS NEXT goal. Defender Etienne Godin then came close to doubling the lead on a deflected free kick, but the shot was parried by the goalkeeper. Despite the Bolts' pressure with numerous set pieces, Montreal goalkeeper Ewan Derrien-Lairet was reassuring to his defense on high balls. Final score: 1-0.
“It was a nice victory. We fought until the end. It was hard to hold out and I'm proud of the whole team,” said Derrien-Lairet. “I did not have a good first half, but I managed to keep the team in the game in the second. My last save was good for me and a relief for the team,” he added.
A relief shared by U17 head coach Maxime Leconte: “The content on the ball was interesting for 75% of the game. We created chances and scored but we lacked precision on the final passes to double the lead, so we suffered at the end. It is a good learning experience for the players. Each match has its story. I also notice that we were more decisive defensively with a second consecutive clean sheet. Now we can focus on Toronto and prepare for this particular game where team spirit will be key.”
U17 Starting XI : Derrrien-Lairet – Pierre Lamarre – Godin – L. De Montigny – G. De Montigny – Biello (cap.) – Arnaud – Sedar N’Diaye – Saputo – Happi Emaga – Udell Joseph
Substitutes: Hammache, St Pierre, Alexis, Chaverra-Gilbert, Domanico, Alexis, J. Coulanges
Goal: Happi Emaga (55th)
The U15s bounced back
With three wins in four games, the U15 squad aimed to continue its unbeaten home streak against Boston. However, the Bolts initially surprised the home side with an opening goal and a press that prevented Montreal from progressing the ball up the field. Laurent Santana's determination eventually allowed the Montrealers to equalize with a nice back pass to Vitaliy Movchan who finished from close range.
At halftime, U15 Head coach Esteban Landazabal made tactical adjustments and two substitutions with the entrance of Thomas Monnin in midfield and Owen Graham-Roache in attack. This new strategy paid off as his players dominated the second half and managed to score twice more. Caed Casimir struck first on a cross from defender Eliott Germain-Aubrey with Germain-Aubrey then managing a goal of his own on a volley to the far post. Final score: 3-1.
Germain-Aubrey, a fullback, symbolizes Montreal’s winning spirit and is off to a strong start this season with three goals and two assists in his freshman MLS NEXT season. “I couldn’t ask for better, but we need to keep working,” said Germain-Aubrey. “We were a little slow at the beginning, but I think we bounced back well. At halftime, we were really motivated to win this game and come back. We were not playing our game in the first half. The two substitutions pushed our opponent back a bit and we finally managed to combine.”
“To our opponent's credit, they caused us a lot of trouble, especially since we played against the wind in the first half,” Landazabal noted. “The adjustments at the break allowed us to better occupy the field and find the players in the pockets. It was like two different games. I mainly take away the character of the boys and their adaptability. I am happy but far from satisfied. We still need to work because we are only at the beginning of the season, and it is now that the adjustments must be made.”
U15 Starting XI: Belzile – Kozlovskiy (cap.) – Nteziryayo – Panait – Kontchou – Kadiamba – Dimbu-Vasile – Germain-Aubrey – Santana – Movchan – Casimir
Substitutes: Pohu, Monnin, Marceau, Graham-Roache, Mbiaga, Ampofo, Nué Brito
Goals: Movchan (29th), Casimir (59th) and Germain-Aubrey (63rd) for CF Montréal ; Moniz (27th) for FC Boston Bolts.