'I thought they deserved to be called': Despite surging form, CanMNT eludes Montréal trio

After a slow start to their season, CF Montréal are really starting to find their feet once again. 

With a 1-0 win over Nashville SC at Stade Saputo on Wednesday, Montréal halted a 10-game undefeated run for the second-best team in MLS’s Eastern Conference and made it six straight home wins, all while climbing to eighth place in the East with their third win in the last five league games. 

That means that following a 1W-0D-6L (3 PTS) start to the season, they’ve now amassed a record of 7W-1D-3L (22 PTS) in their last 11 games. 

Plus, most importantly, it’s worth noting that a trio of Canadians has led this push, too. 

In goal, ex-CPL goalkeeper of the year Jonathan Sirois has really taken over as the #1 option, sitting with seven clean sheets in 17 MLS games, and nearly willed the team to a Canadian Championship title with a big performance in a 2-1 loss to the Vancouver Whitecaps in the final. 

Jonathan Sirois just had his 6 shutout in a row at home tonight. How is he not with Choinière included in the national team for Gold Cup ? #CFMTL #CanMNT

— Patrice Bernier (@pbernier10) June 22, 2023

Meanwhile, at the back, Joel Waterman is starting to find his feet after a slower start to the season, helping Sirois and company rack up a bunch of those clean sheets as of late. 

Then, in the midfield, is the heartbeat of this Montréal side this season, Mathieu Choinière, who has become a crucial piece in the middle of the park. Usually a wide player, he’s taken to his new role perfectly, chipping in on both sides of the ball, sitting with two goals and four assists in all competitions, and covering all sorts of ground defensively. 

MATHIEU CHOINIÈRE 🔥 pic.twitter.com/SugtSVbLqh

— CF Montréal (@cfmontreal) June 22, 2023

Yet, despite that, neither of the trio will represent the Canadian Men’s National Team this summer, as they were unable to crack John Herdman’s squad for that tournament this past week. 

After also missing out on Canada’s Nations League squad, it’s a big blow for the trio, who most would’ve seen clawing their way in based on their form and Canada’s depth in midfield, at the back and in goal. 

And the surprise doesn’t just extend to those who’ve gotten a chance to see them play on a regular basis, either, but also the players themselves, with Waterman being quite candid on the subject when asked about how he felt when he found out he wasn’t in the squad. 

“I believe in myself, so when I first saw the team go out, I was upset,” Waterman said after Montréal’s win on Wednesday. “Obviously, the Nations League is a different competition, but I honestly thought I was going to be there for the Gold Cup. I've liked my form recently, but obviously it’s not my time, decisions had to be made, and I try not to look at that too in-depth.”

Waterman : J'ai confiance en moi. Je pensais que j'allais faire partie de #canmnt pour la Gold Cup, ça m'a fâché mais j'espère que l'équipe va gagner #imfc #CFMTL

— Hady Raphaël (@SoccerenFolie) June 22, 2023

Then, on Thursday, head coach Hernan Losada shared similar thoughts, although as he then noted, Canada’s loss is certainly his gain as losing them would’ve been a big blow with some key MLS games coming up during the Gold Cup. 

“I’m disappointed for Mathieu, Jonathan and Joel, I thought they deserved to be called up to Canada,” Losada said. “I really don’t understand it, but at the same time, I’m happy they get to stay and that I can keep relying on them for the weeks to come.”

Off the back of that, Montréal will look to keep hot, with their Canadian trio leading the way over the next few weeks. 

And hey, with how the Gold Cup works, it’s worth noting that they could still get called into Canada’s squad for that tournament. 

Also, surprised at no Mathieu Choinière, Joel Waterman or Jonathan Sirois from #CFMTL, as well as no Iké Ugbo. Very interesting that they don't make it

— Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic (@AlexGangueRuzic) June 19, 2023

If any injuries crop up before their opening game, or even throughout the group stages, Canada can call in a replacement as long as it’s before the start of the knockouts, provided the player is on their preliminary squad, as all three players are. 

It happened to Canada last tournament, as Tesho Akindele went from being out of the original squad to starting a semi-final against Mexico due to injury and suspensions, so now, it remains to see if Choinière, Sirois or Waterman get a similar opportunity soon. 

Either way, it’ll be hard to ignore them if they keep this up, so if it’s not now, one can only imagine they get the ball by the end of the year at this rate. 

“Yeah they told me to keep going with your team, keep doing what I’m doing with the club and keep playing well, and maybe one day I’ll get the call from the National Team,” Choinière noted earlier in the week. 

“The reason I went to the World Cup is because I let my play do the talking, and I’m going to continue to do that,” Waterman said. “They’re always watching, it’s about putting in consistent performances, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t upset by it.”

“But I wish nothing but the best for the guys going, hope they win it all, I’m still a big fan, I’ve got lots of friends going, I’m wishing nothing but the best.”