Major League Soccer: Wifred Nancy was impressed by the crowd’s reaction at Saputo Stadium

After throwing some well-intentioned darts in Montreal’s direction the day before, Columbus Crew coach Wilfried Nancy opted not to add fuel to the fire unnecessarily after his team’s 4-2 win on Saturday evening at Saputo Stadium.

In a press conference on Friday afternoon, the former CF Montreal driver in 2021 and 2022 first praised the clear vision of the crew’s sporting project before lamenting that his players would have to practice on an artificial surface adjacent to the field instead of on a natural surface.

Nancy, whose association with the Montreal club ended in turmoil, said on Friday that the opponent had never been treated in such an arrogant manner in all the years he spent with the club. He clearly found this gesture particularly petty.

Since revenge is a dish that is best served cold, Nancy preferred to focus on the work of Cucho Hernandez, who scored three goals, and on the fans’ reaction to him.

Nancy admitted in a press conference after the match: “I was happy to see the fans again and was touched by their welcome.” It was definitely emotional, I can’t lie.

“Life is crazy in a way. I started my coaching career here in 2010 and finding myself in the visiting locker room made me proud of myself and how far I’ve come.”

The French technician realized that the last few days had been special not only for him, but also for many members of the crew’s technical staff. When he was hired last December, Nancy was accompanied to the Ohio capital by assistant coach Kwame Ampadu, physical trainer Jules Goguen, and video analyst Maxime Challier. He also hired Yoann Damet, who he worked with in Montreal when he started in 2010.

“This return to Montreal allowed us to remember how we met,” Nancy said. To have the opportunity to find someone like Yuan after all these years allows us to realize how much we have grown as coaches over time. »

Being a professional sport, Nancy was already ready to focus on the next match and turn the page on her reunion with FC Montreal. The two teams will meet again in the season finale on October 21 in Columbus. A match that could be of utmost importance for FC Montreal, whose place in the playoffs remains uncertain.