Red hot Montreal in search of their Messi moment as former Premier League star fills Thierry Henry void
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The future – and present – of CF Montreal was supposed to be built around Thierry Henry.
Then branded the Montreal Impact, the Canadian MLS side had failed to make the play-offs in three consecutive seasons but the announcement of a footballing legend arrival was intended as the catalyst to reverse the club's fortunes.
And it worked. Sort of.
In a Covid-shortened first season, Henry's side picked up 26 points in 23 games points, enough to end that postseason drought.
Decided on a points per game basis, Montreal's 1.13 was enough to secure a berth to the play-in round.
They were beaten 2-1 by the New England Revolution and after a journey of highs and lows, they are back at that same stage once again, hosting Atlanta United on Wednesday.
A deep postseason run in 2022 was followed by another postseason absence in 2023 – it’s been anything but straightforward.
Henry's maiden season was promising but any signs of progress were stifled rapidly.
Ahead of the 2021 season, Henry announced the end of his association with Montreal, explaining the separation from his family during Covid as the reason for his decision.
“Unfortunately due to the ongoing restrictions and the fact that we will have to relocate to the US again for several months will be no different.
“The separation is too much of a strain for me and my kids. Therefore, it is with much sadness that I must take the decision to return to London and leave CF Montreal.”
It came as a shock to the city of Montreal who had put Henry at the centre of their hopes for a future MLS title.
"Surprised?” CF Montréal CEO and president CEO Kevin Gilmore asked himself on a virtual press conference with a huge number of media spanning multiple continents, a sign of Henry’s global impact.
“Yes. Obviously our plan was to bring Thierry here for the long-term, in partnership with [sporting director] Olivier [Renard] to build the identity of a successful franchise. But I’m not surprised by the circumstances.
“Very few people can appreciate how difficult last year was for people at this club, having to live 'home' away from home, out of hotels and suitcases with the expectation to continue to do your job at the best of your ability without factoring in the mental toll this takes on people."
Henry's lone season in charge came with the most difficult of circumstances as the Covid regulations for crossing between Canada and the US meant Montreal had to spend much of the season in New Jersey, using Red Bull Arena.
While Henry's first foray into management with Monaco had ended in failure, his arrival was considered a major coup for both the MLS and Canadian football as a whole.
For it to come crashing down after only one season sent Montreal back to the drawing board.
They got nowhere the season after Henry's departure, failing to make the postseason for a fourth time in five seasons.
Another retired French footballer – far less successful than Henry – Wilfried Nancy took charge and Montreal shocked the league by finishing 2nd in the Eastern Conference before losing to New York City FC in the Conference semifinals.
But once again, the rug was pulled out from underneath a club searching for their first ever MLS Cup.
Nancy departed for Columbus Crew and is still the Montreal manager with the best statistical record at 1.65 points per game.
Again, the Canadian side was forced to start fresh. Hernan Losada came next but lasted only one season before Laurent Courtois was appointed.
Like Henry, Courtois played in England – seven Premier League appearances for West Ham barely compares to Henry’s legendary status in England.
Courtois was emerging from a coaching career without any top-flight experience and just like Henry, was inheriting a team in need of inspiration.
Courtois won only five of the first 27 MLS games this season and seemed a distant long-shot to reach the postseason.
Then they caught fire. No team won more games in the final seven weeks of the season than Montreal's five.
For the first time since their epic march towards Eastern Conference supremacy under Nancy, Montreal can look towards the future with hope.
He may not be Henry, but that end-of-season flurry has not only given Montreal a chance at a Cinderella run, but it also gave them home-field advantage for their play-in clash with Atlanta.
“We kind of surprised people already, but Tuesday is just an amazing game, and I’m so proud of these guys and staff, all the people that support us to do something interesting,” Courtois told reporters.
“We’re pleased to get the playoff spot in front of our fans, but now we want more. There’s no cockiness, not too much humbleness. We just go.
“You don’t switch on on game day. It just doesn’t happen that way. We trust the guys to recover body and mind and be ready for the task against Atlanta.”
If Montreal are to achieve a real miracle, then the real test will only come after Atlanta. Victory comes with a reward – a three-game series against Lionel Messi and Inter Miami.
