CF Montréal will start its MLS season in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the club announced on Monday.
The club will travel to Florida on April 6 after completing its training camp in Montreal, where it will play its home matches at Inter Miami CF stadium and use Miami's facilities for training sessions. Montréal employed a similar set-up last season due to travel restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, with the New York Red Bulls providing their facilities for training and home games.
“I want to thank Inter Miami CF for welcoming us," CF Montréal sporting director Olivier Renard said in Monday's release. "Just like in New Jersey last year with the Red Bulls, we will have access to top infrastructures and favorable weather, which made us chose Florida. Once again, it will be a very special situation and we want our players to be in the best possible conditions before coming back to play in Montreal. We will do everything in our power to allow the players and the staff to be joined by their families so they can feel good while they are away from home.”
The team will be following strict health and security protocols, including COVID-19 screening testing on a regular basis. Per Monday's release, "the possibility to play games in Montreal will be studied when there will be more developments regarding travel protocols, in relation with public health and government directives".
CF Montréal are aiming to play two exhibition matches after arriving in Florida, with the MLS season scheduled to start on April 17. It will be their first campaign under newly-promoted head coach Wilfried Nancy, who was announced as the new hire on Monday following the departure of Thierry Henry.
