The last time CF Montréal actually played in Montréal was September 9 against Toronto FC last year, the last of three home games played without fans in the wonky 2020 season thrown on its head by the pandemic.
The last game in Montréal they played in front of fans in "normal" circumstances — whatever that means in 2021 — was on March 10 of 2020.
It won't be "normal" by any stretch, but for the first time in nearly a year, CF Montréal are finally heading home. MTL will face FC Cincinnati at Stade Saputo on Saturday (7:30 pm ET | MLS LIVE on ESPN+), after spending the first third of the 2021 campaign playing mostly "home" in Florida.
"It's joy and pleasure," said head coach Wilfried Nancy, who is in his first year as head coach but has been with the club since 2011. “I’m happy for everyone and for the fans."
Being home is a welcomed return to many, but a first to some.
Forward Mason Toye was acquired from Minnesota United during the 2020 season, after the club played those three games at home. Djordje Mihailovic was added in a blockbuster trade this offseason and was with the US U-23 national team for Olympic qualifying before linking up with his teammates towards the end of preseason, after they relocated to Florida ahead of the start of the season.
“For a guy like Djordje, he got traded here, but joined us in Florida from national team stuff," Toye said. "It’s awesome for him, i know he’s loving it. We're all loving it. ... It’s funny, I’ve never actually played for Montréal in Montréal."
Despite all the displacement and hurdles that has come with being a Canadian club living on the road essentially for a season and a half, it's a positive time around the club. Montréal made the playoffs in 2020 and have enjoyed a hot start to 2021, sitting in fourth place in the Eastern Conference after 12 matches.
“Being in Montréal helps a lot on the mental side of things," Toye said. "“It’s just nice to wake up in your own bed, go to training, obviously the facilities are so great, then drive home and not have to bus to a hotel. It’s just nice to be in a stable place and be at your home."
Nothing is set for the long-term as hurdles remain to cross-border travel. But CF MTL have 11 home games left in 2021 and hope to maximize them.
“Personally I’ve been waiting for this a long time," defender Zorhan Bassong said. "in my case, I was born in Canada. I grew up here in Montréal. i have a lot of friends and family here, they’re waiting for me to play here. It'll be something amazing for me.”
