New CF Montréal striker Matais Coccaro: ’I’m here to score goals’

[ad_1]

Matias Coccaro says he loves scoring objectives. That can come as welcome information to a CF Montréal aspect that sorely wanted them final season.

The 26-year-old Uruguayan striker mentioned scoring could be a precedence as he made his first feedback since becoming a member of Montreal on Thursday.

Article content material

Alongside newly acquired attacking midfielder Dominik Yankov, Coccaro can be tasked with rebooting a Montreal assault had that nearly utterly stalled final season. No Montreal participant scored greater than six objectives in all competitions in 2023.

“I’m a correct 9 (striker), I’m right here to attain objectives and I really like that,” mentioned Coccaro, who had 31 objectives and 7 assists in 131 video games with Huracan. “It’s additionally a crew sport and I’ll do no matter is required to assist the crew.

“If I’ve to drop into defend, then I’ll, however successful and scoring are my priorities.”

Coccaro known as Montreal “a really attention-grabbing sporting mission in a league that’s rising.”

“Coming from membership like Huracan, I imagine in what’s occurring right here and I’m actually excited,” he mentioned.

After last-minute building at Olympic Stadium compelled CF Montréal to relocate the beginning of preseason coaching to Tucson, Ariz., the membership lastly educated at residence, taking the sphere at Complexe sportif Marie-Victorin.

“It was nice to get again to the sphere and have an area like this,” mentioned new head coach Laurent Courtois. “All these obstacles, like not with the ability to prepare at residence, I see them as alternatives to bond and construct chemistry.”

Article content material

Montreal has traditionally had tough begins. Since 2017, the membership has loved a successful file within the opening section of the MLS season simply as soon as. Nearly all of its opening video games are performed away from residence as Saputo Stadium can’t host video games firstly of the season.

However this yr the crew is embracing the added problem of getting practically the whole coaching camp away from residence, utilizing the time to focus solely on soccer and rising as a unit.

“This complete camp has been an awesome problem. This method is a bit totally different from final yr’s and we’re collectively and individually targeted on a regular basis,” mentioned goalkeeper Jonathan Sirois. “It’s a system that enables us to have lots of enjoyable after we get it proper, nevertheless it wants lots of observe to get proper.”

Courtois, who beforehand coached the event squad of the Columbus Crew, has a really related type of play as former Montreal head coach — and present Crew head coach — Wilfried Nancy.

He has consistently preached making an attempt to get ahead, take dangers, and create probabilities. All three have been sorely lacking from Montreal final yr, which went from an offensive powerhouse in 2022 to one of many league’s lowest-scoring groups the next yr.

Comparatively, Courtois was on the helm of what has been the most effective assault in MLS Subsequent Professional because it launched in 2021. He says he’s nonetheless attending to know his new squad.

“We’re nonetheless discovering issues in regards to the gamers, and I believe some gamers didn’t even know they’d permission to attempt sure issues on the pitch,” he mentioned. “Now could be after we actually get to know a participant.

“I’m very to get to know them in a deeper approach. I’m typically curious of those that don’t communicate a lot as a result of they typically have probably the most to say. After I see the extra extroverted gamers, I’m completely satisfied as properly as a result of they carry that power that helps everybody come out of their shell.”

Montreal will depart for Florida on the finish of the week, the place it’s going to full the rest of its camp.

Additionally they have three extra friendlies to play in opposition to Atlanta United on Feb. 7, Colorado Rapids on Feb. 10, and in opposition to the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Feb. 17 earlier than their season-opener Feb. 24 at Orlando.

Beneficial from Editorial