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@OfftheWoodworkx @KevLaramee http://www.afrokanlife.com/category/sports/ http://canadiansoccernews.com http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/off-the-woodwork/id898309206?mt=2 http://www.stitcher.com/podcast/off-the-woodworkx Sports Podcasting Network http://itunes.apple.com/ca/podcast/otw-studios/id1018126433 http://feeds.feedburner.com/otwstudios Supportez Kevin et SPN http://patreon.com/sportspodcastingnetwork

Q: The FC Montreal is a very young team, with an average age around 20 years old, What can a team bonding activity like the climbing of Mount Washington bring to a youthful squad like the FCMTL ? A: It brings a lot, especially at the beginning of the season like now and the though time we are going through. It is a symbol as well, saying that we are all together at the bottom of the mountain, like in the Eastern Conference, and if we want to climb the mountain, together we will have to suffer as a team to reach the top in the near future. Q: There has been impressive progress in the players game since the beginning of the season, how can you explain this progress and what is the key to maintain that progression? A: Well like you said, the most important thing for us is the progression, if we see the progression, we have reached one of our goal. Obviously we would like to have more points, but the most important thing for us is the improvement of our players and the players are improving because, first, they never played at that level, so already after a couple of games, they are closer to the level of (the USL) play. Also, they are always coming into practice very focused and what they have to do and very focused on what we are saying to them to improve their level of play so everybody is on the same page and they know exactly what they have to do to get better results The results will come if we play better individually and collectively. So that is why the atmosphere in the team is still very very positive, very very good and the Mount Washington will also help everybody to keep going forward and keep working together to improve the team overall. Q: Lately, FC Montreal have had a lot more scoring chances, how can you explain the ease the baby blues have found moving forward on the pitch? A: Because 80% of the work we do all week long, all year long is focusing on the offensive actions so we focus a lot on these offensive transitions. That is why we will improve even more in the next couple of games and hopefully we will find the net more often but if we can keep this momentum and take even more risk offensively and to provoke a little bit more the defensive players, we will score more goals and that is what we are missing right now, to be a little bit more efficient in the last third of the pitch because the opportunity to score will happen will happen more and more in the couple months so we need to be more efficient. You know, young players lacking experience sometimes you freeze a little bit when it comes time to put the ball in the net, but again with experiencing more games we should be able to be more efficient in the last third. Q: As a coach, you have been in the USL for a month in a half, is the league what you expected it to be on the pitch, level wise, did you expect the same level of play, or maybe higher or lower? A: Its exactly were we thought the league was, the level is exactly what we thought and it is perfect to, because it is the perfect step for us to develop players who will play in MLS and you know, even if the results are not so positive so far, it is good in a certain way that it is not positive because if after 5 games we would have 5 wins in a row, it would have meant to us that we didn't need this league , we would have needed a better league, but obviously it is not the case. It is exactly the tool that we were missing in our academy system in the club, so we are pretty happy with the league on and off the pitch , the organization is very professional and serious and knows exactly were they want to go , so we are very happy to be part of the USL family and very happy to have this tool to help improve our players and hopefully a few of them will move up to the first team and be a real asset for the first team very soon! Thanks to Phillippe Eullaffroy and thanks to the FC Montreal for the interview. The next game for the FC Montreal is May 14th versus the Charleston Battery at 4pm at the Stade Saputo Turf Field, come and watch the future of the Impact and its FREE!!!

Richmond is considered by far one of the best if not THE best team in the eastern conference and for a good part of the game , the Baby Blues were right there with them creating very dangerous looks and shots on goal especially on the right side of the field between Janouk Charbonneau and Fabio Morelli. The later has really found his stride on the right flank, having more space to move on and off the ball and using his skills he was able to generate most of the chances . If it wasn’t for the Richmond goalkeeper, Trevor Spangenberg who had a great game just ask Victor N’Diaye who had a great curler shot on a one on one with him stop in the nick of time, FC Montreal would have taken the lead for the first time in its history. Speaking of Victor N’Diaye, he really looks comfortable on the left attacking midfield position, having his preferred right foot more open to the play makes him more confident on the ball. The only goal of the game, came on one of the very few defensive mistakes Montréal at the 31st minute when Brian Ownby was given to much space in the box and was able to cross the ball perfectly to a wide open Matthew Delicate who finished easily in an empty net. Eric Kronberg was the starter in net for Montreal, even though they allowed a goal, Kronberg was really good at controlling his backline and keeping his team in the game with only a one goal deficit. With Eric Kronberg, 3 other first team player started for FC Montreal, Eric Alexander, Kenny Cooper and Jérémie Gagnon-Laparé , the last two finding some chemistry at the end of the first half especially when Morelli and Charbonneau would involve them in triangular passes opening up the defense and creating good scoring chances. Overall, FC Montréal was able to hold the Eastern Conference leader to one goal and were able to generate more scoring chances then earlier in the year. Call it progression, call it improvement, the bottom line is they are starting to find a way towards goal more consistently and with that consistency, goals will come and it seems only a matter of time before the floodgates open!

Today, Kevin previewed the historical game that will take place this Tuesday at 10pm Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto in Alajuela, Costa Rica. Montreal arrived in enemy territory Saturday with a two goal advantage, looking to stop the existence of "la r3 m0ntada" and book their tickets to the Concacaf Champions League Final! Kevin also reviewed the first game in the history of the FC Montreal, a 2-0 loss against their 401 Derby rivals Toronto FC2 . Kevin also reviewed the Impact's home opener versus Orlando City Soccer Club, a 2-2 draw and gave his impression on KAKA in MLS in 2015 so far! Post game comments of Phillippe Eullaffroy, John Dinkota, Victor N'Diaye and Louis Béland-Goyette aka LBG of FC Montreal after their game against TFC2. Until next time, have a great soccer! @OfftheWoodworkx @KevLaramee https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6bNyHzmwJBjFCanw4n-0Tw http://www.patreon.com/twosolitudes5rings?rf=361554&ty=2 https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/off-woodworkx-soccer-podcast/id644040569?mt=2 http://www.stitcher.com/s?fid=37443&refid=stpr http://feeds.feedburner.com/rapidfeeds/iekP http://facebook.com/OfftheWoodworkx offthewoodworkx@hotmail.com

As soon as the game started, basically 20 seconds in, the Fury scored with a great Wiedeman finish off a Oliver cross coming from the left side of the box. Montreal definitely got caught off guard by this designed play of Ottawa and were already trailing without even touching the ball yet. The team coached by Marc Dos Santos had a small fitness advantage, being in their fifth week of training camp, but had a big size advantage against the very young FC Montreal team composed entirely of academy products and players around 20 years old or younger! Even if Phillipe Eullaffroy(FC Montreal's Head Coach) believes size is overrated in soccer, this was evident on almost every aerial battles for the ball as the Fury player would usually come out with possession even if he was outnumbered. Even if the size difference was a factor in the air, Montreal slowly found there marks around the 20th minutes. They were able to start moving forward, using quick passes and overlapping of the midfielders to generate some penetration but never had a clear look on goal and never really tested Peiser or De Bellis. The new USL team from Montreal was a fraction of second late on most balls and having to run after the Fury made them react to the play instead of building movement forward. Their best chance came at the 78th minute when N'Diaye almost headed a pass from 35 yards out over the keeper, but De Bellis (subbed in for Peiser around the 70th minute) boxed it out of arms way. Both team played a very intense game, fighting for every ball with a second and third effort. On any other day, I wouldn't have been surprised to see more then 10 yellows and some red cards, but it seemed the referee forgot them at home today. This gave place to a very physical and dangerous game that might have cost the FC Montreal one of its better known midfielder Alessandro Riggi who looks to have injured his right knee or lower right leg after a sliding tackle at the edge of the box in the second half. Hoping it looked worst then it actually was. FC Montreal were able to finish the game strong, having their best possession moments in the last twenty minutes of the friendly but Ottawa's defense were able to hold on for the 1-0 victory, keeping their undefeated streak in this year's preseason alive. Next for FC Montreal is their historical season opener against Torontwo FC , Saturday March 28th, if you have a ticket for the IMFC game later that day, it also gives you access to the USL game and come support the future of the Impact and witness history as FC Montreal makes its USL debut. Next for the Ottawa Fury is a preseason game versus Syracuse University on Saturday March 28th. Phillipe Eullaffroy FC Montreal Head Coach and Academy Director Post Game comments Quick Thoughts -One player that impressed me for Montreal was Defender #69 Jems Geffrard , very calm and collected and helps settle his midfielder in the right position, wise beyond his years on the field and has the height necessary to get implicated in the aerial game on corners and set pieces, watch out for him! -The Fury are working really hard on signing a "name", a recognizable player for Ottawa could help boost season tickets which are going great by the way and are expected to climb and hit around the 6000 or 7000 mark for the beginning of the season, -Zacharia Messoudi was in the stands today, but better things are coming as he will try to forget the disastrous 2014 year and jump start his career in the USL, -Many Impact players were present to support the academy and FC Montreal players, Laurent Ciman (who just got selected to represent Belgium next week) Wandrille Lefevre and Hassoun Camara even took time to reconnect with former teammate Sinisa Ubiparipovic and former coach Marc Dos Santos, -Speaking of Marc Dos Santos, he is very confident going in to the 2015 NASL season, he is very happy with his squad and especially with the fact he had an almost full roster for the entire five weeks of training camp so far, -MDS is very high on defender Rafael Alves , "this player plays and never stops, how can you not love this player" who is huge and very impressive with and without the ball,