Pre-Game vs Atlanta press conference transcribed

Ariel Lassiter

Q: The experience of Copa America?

AL: Great experience. You know, I think opportunities like that come few and far between. Experiences that I’ll keep with me for the rest of my life. And I think it was there were a good moments you know, being a part of the national team, being a part of such a huge tournament like that, playing against really big teams. Things that I learned that I could bring into my daily life and my life here in, in Montreal as a player.

Q: Was it the USA or the World Cup that will be in 2026? How is the organization and everything? How did you feel it?

AL: Well, I think the biggest thing for us as players was probably the nature of the pitch. You know, being a bit bumpy and not being as big as normal fields. But the atmosphere was amazing. I think playing in LA against Brazil, that was probably one of the better atmospheres that I’ve played in. In Arizona with Colombia was amazing as well and then Austin is always great. So, I think in that sense I think it’ll still be at the top.

Q: Have you had the chance to talk about it with, you know, some of the other guys that have Copa America experience? What kind of lessons do you hope to bring back and use, either for yourself or for the group with the club?

AL: I haven’t spoken too much to the Canadian boys. I’m sure we’ll discuss and compare our experiences when they get back. I think the biggest thing for me that I’ve experienced through Copa America is just being aggressive in every aspect, defensively, offensively, I mean playing against Brazil you have guys that when they get the ball and in the offensive half, they go 1V1 right away. They know their strengths. They know their weaknesses. They know what to play to. And they play together as a team. And that’s why, you know, they get far in these tournaments. That’s why Colombia is where they are now. And just small things like that, that, that can go a long way.

Q: On Wednesday, Gabrielle Gervais told us that he expected more for the players from the players this season. He said that the results could have been better with more intensity and more emotion. What’s your assessment of that and do you agree with what’s the path moving forward for this team?

AL: Yeah, I think I think our work ethic can always get better. I think the mentality of the group right now I think a win will help us a lot. Maybe not seeing the ball hit the back of the net as much. The three points not coming as often as we would like. But we have a good opportunity on Saturday to show not just ourselves, but the fans as well, that we want to achieve great things in this season also. We’re not we’re not far off from the playoff line. So, you know, take a step back and assess what we need to do and take more steps forward.

Q: We learned yesterday that the Canadian MLS transfer window opens today. Are players aware of that and are they aware that things may change in the coming days for the club?

AL: At this point in, in our careers and for some of us we know that change could come at any time. I don’t think that will really affect too much of what we need to do on the field, where we’re going to be ready no matter what. Our focus is, is Saturday and I’m sure that’s for everyone and we’re going to continue that way.

Laurent Courtois

Q: First, was it Corey Wray who hired you with Crew 2 in Columbus?

LC: It was Pat Onstad at the time. Corey joined us right after that.

Q: And I imagine you have fond memories of him. What memories do you have of your time with Crew 2 in relation to Corey?

LC: It was Corey who entrusted me with the Crew 2 project. We went from the Pilot Program right through to the two years we spent together. We built it from scratch, as they say. It was a pleasure; an honor and we had a lot of success. It was really a great adventure.

Q: And what was your reaction when you saw he was joining the club?

LC: I didn’t understand, of course. I’d heard about it a few days before it became official, but I’m thinking it’s really a strange world. The soccer world moves fast.

Q: And to get back to CF Montreal now, your president reiterated on Wednesday that he has total confidence in you. He also spoke of the players’ need to wake up by the end of the season. As far as you’re concerned, what’s your role in this awareness?

LC: Awareness. Well, if you’ve noticed my position, I’ve also tried to make everyone a little more responsible, because we’re no longer experimenting, we’re executing and becoming aware. I always try to make a distinction between what’s collective and what’s tactical? What’s mentality in general and what individual errors? There are things we simply can’t rectify. So, we try to distinguish between all these things and the players. The players are capable, and we know we are. We’re also close to doing something interesting. So, we just must stop taking one step forward and two steps back.

Q: As we learned today, the transfer window is opening in Canada. What are the club’s most pressing needs for this window?

LC: That’s a trick question! We know we’ve got qualities; we know we’ve got things we’d like to see differently too. Really, I’m repeating myself, but with this group, I’d just like us to do a mental shift to raise our collective awareness of the aspects we hold dear. And I think this group could easily be ten points higher. It’s already something very personal for me. Why didn’t we take those ten extra points that were within our grasp? Having said that, we know that we have positions, notably right wing back, where we were a little light, and Lassi Lappalainen can’t find continuity in terms of rehabilitation. And so, Ruan is often exposed and tired, so it could be a position. We’ve had a lot of strikers, but they’re often injured. So how much of this is down to us and how much is down to the players themselves? Well, apart from the right wing back position, I don’t think we’re that much in need of a position. After that, it’s more a question of chemistry, fitness and profile, which we must evaluate internally and try to adjust.

Q: The fact that the transfer market opens today for Canadian clubs comes as a surprise. I think everyone found out yesterday too. Are the players aware that things can change quickly for them? I’m thinking of Victor Wanyama, for example, whose contract could potentially be bought out. Are the players aware that this is in the air now?

LC: I don’t know if they’re aware that the window is opening today. I found out this morning. But they know we’re in MLS. The window comes up and there are often opportunities where clubs try to do what they think is right to move in the right direction. And so, I don’t think they’re surprised if there are changes, whether in Montreal or elsewhere, it’s all part of the job.

Q: You’ve already said that you’re part of the discussions with management about the transfer market and all that. Are you being consulted about the player profiles you just mentioned? How are you involved in these discussions?

LC: Yeah, it’s a bit like that. It’s a bit of a dilemma. Are there any positional aspects that we really need urgently? Do we need to double up or not? Do the players we want to evaluate here fit the profile of the type of player I need to play the type of game I want to play? So, it’s kind of two different analyses. And now we’ve got Corey with Daniel Pozzi and everyone else. Now we’ve got technical people with experience who can and Corey knows me very well. So now we’re going to be able to be more precise in our analysis, let’s say of the current players who fit and of the players who could potentially be more suitable in the future.

Q: Do you sense a willingness on the club’s part to make personnel moves in this summer’s transfer window?

LC: Yes, we’re working on it.

Q: I’m asking you the question. And it’s not to find fault, I just want to get your opinion on this. Gabriel said on Wednesday that some players seemed a little disinterested in staying with the project. Do you feel that in the dressing room? Do you feel that you’ve noticed certain players who would like that, again without naming names? But are there any players you see who are perhaps a little removed from the project as such?

LC: Yes, no, clearly. Whether it’s for various reasons and sometimes for reasons I can’t explain, there are, there are clearly two or three people who I don’t see fitting into the future project. After all, it’s not the same reasons or the same beliefs. They don’t have the same beliefs and they’re not at the same stage in their career. There’s the coach too, who makes his choices, but there are some, they’re not the same reasons, but it’s clear that there are two or three, we know they don’t want to take part or who don’t show that they want to take part. It’s different in the future project.

Q: Just maybe switching focus to Saturday a little bit you’re unbeaten at home in your last six but only two of those you end up getting the full 3 points. What do you think is the next hurdle that will allow you guys get those three points and Atlanta who have been a little bit hot and cold this season. What’s your opinion or maybe what’s your forecast for this match?

LC: Well, not to sound like a broken record, but I’m just trying to find a way to have my guys with the same mindset and approach on the boat halves and not picking just one versus the other. That would be already huge. Hopefully we can respect what we agree to do in terms of game plan the whole game and not just part of it. Having consistency in our individual performances would be another one. And play free. Play free, they showed that they’re capable. We discussed a lot of the unnecessary turnovers and the second half at New York and what happened first half in Vancouver where we were too safe. So is this thing where sometimes we literal in terms of adjustments that we want to make. So, I just try to insist with the guys that they are at their best level and without fear but with a lot of humility they capable of everything so. This is my challenge with this group right now.

Q: At the start of the season, you had a good duo with Mathieu and Samuel in the middle. After that, they left. Nathan and Bryce have also shown great promise. Will this midfield be shifted a bit? Are you going to see Mathieu with Nathan or changes like that where you expect to keep those same duos there for the rest of the game?

LC: Mathieu and Sam have shown some very rich and consistent stuff. Nathan has done some great things. Bryce alternates between the good and the not-so-good, as you know. We’re trying to find a little more consistency in these performances, but we know he’s capable. To what I wanted to say, Victor has shown some interesting things and some limitations, and we’re trying to emphasize the positive and trying to limit the negative. After that, I’m going to try to put the best possible team with the best possible players on the pitch, to try to make the play-offs and try to win as many games as possible, to play the most attractive soccer that I want to play. So, it’s a good problem. I can’t wait to have the problem of having all the good players at the same time. And to finish the season.

Q: What about tomorrow’s game? What challenges does Atlanta United face tomorrow at Saputo Stadium?

LC Well, all the challenges of teams who are a bit injured and who want to redeem themselves. We’ve been able to get teams back on track when they’re struggling a bit. It’s not a good sign for us. So, we’ve been warned. After that, we also know that they’re aggressive in the way they press. I’m curious to see if it’s full press like Vancouver, who are a little more cautious. In the meantime, they have a lot of positional changes, they’re quite quick, quite versatile, with a goalkeeper who has good distribution, so they’re still a top team despite the results and the players they’ve lost. Once again, the champion or last in the league last year, it’s just us that matters to me and being at our level. We’re not afraid of anyone.