Post-Practice Press Conference August 28, 2024

Samuel Piette

Q: First, did you have a chance to enjoy your son’s birthday at your parents’ house?

SP: It was good. We trained in the morning and then immediately afterwards, I headed off to my parents’ house in Repentigny, so it was a nice afternoon with my wife, my cousins and their children. In fact, today is his birthday, the real day he was born. We celebrated when my entourage were available, but it was nice to be able to see family and the people who love you and to get away from it all for a bit. Of course, we talked about the match for a while, but you try to change your mood and enjoy the moment.

Q: What was the coach’s message this week after the defeat?

SP: The key words were discipline. Discipline in the state of mind, in the game plan, defensively, and solidarity. As I mentioned in the press conference after the game, it’s all about being united. It would be easy to point the finger at everyone and say it’s so-and-so’s fault, but I don’t think that’s the way we want to move forward. We’re still in the playoff picture. We’re what? Two points from the play-in? There’s still a lot to play for but we’re not going to achieve our goal with individuality, it’s going to have to be all of us together. We must be solid, especially for the next game in Cincinnati, a very offensive team in a place that is very hard to get points. If everyone does their job and everyone’s disciplined and we all stick together, we can do something good, but if everyone starts doing their own thing, that’s when things will get more difficult.

Q: Do you talk to each other a lot? After a five-nil defeat at home, do you try not to talk about it and stick to what the coach says and does? Or do you comment on each other and make micro adjustments so that it doesn’t happen again?

SP: We talk about it, it’s not a game where we lose five-nil and then move on, as if nothing happened. We can learn a lot from a performance like that from certain points. Five to zero is huge, and as I said, it’s unacceptable, but it wasn’t all bad, so we must keep the positives but correct the negatives. We all need to work together as a team, but in small groups, whether it’s simply the defenders, the midfielders together, the forwards or the units together, we need to talk to each other and then ask the forwards to do that a little more, then the forwards to do that for us, the midfielders, to do this and that. That’s how we’re able to make small adjustments that can make a big difference.

Q: Mathieu Choinière leaving you is a big deal, but at the same time, is the team a bit happy that this saga is over and that you can move on to something else?

SP: It’s true that it can be seen as a saga from the outside, but internally it’s true that when the rumor came out, we didn’t know, but we could see that there was a possibility. Mathieu wasn’t the one to tell us about it, because I think he was waiting for it to be all over and for it to become a concrete reality. For me, Mathieu is a super-important player, as much from the first game of the season as the very last one when he played in the Leagues Cup. I don’t think it bothered Mathieu and it didn’t affect the team either. It’s not because of a rumor or a piece of news like that that performances are diminished, either for Mathieu or for the team. I’m happy for Mathieu because it’s done and because I know it’s something he’s been dreaming of for a very long time. He’d been with the club for a very long time, and he wanted to try something new. Now it’s done, it’s a reality and I’m very happy for him and I wish him all the best. Yes, he was an important player who we’ll miss for the rest of the season. Now it’s the turn of the players who are in his place, whether it’s Nathan Saliba or a guy like Bryce Duke, who can play a little further back, to prove themselves and then earn that place. I think Nathan had a good game against New England last Saturday.

Q: Did you get the impression that Laurent had already prepared a little? I know that at one point, he had backed Bryce up and then he had sort of set the table for Mathieu’s departure.

SP: I don’t think it was already prepared, because when Bryce was moved back, as far as I remember, it was during the Copa America, when Mathieu and I weren’t there. I know Bryce has already played in that position with Miami and I think it’s a position he’s comfortable playing in. I don’t think it was with a view of Mathieu leaving, so we’re going to start Bryce there. I think it was just because the coach saw that it was beneficial for the team at the time.

Q: You weren’t selected for the Canadian Men’s National team for the upcoming friendlies, how do you feel about that?

SP: It’s definitely a disappointment. As I mentioned at the end of the Copa America, when I was asked if it was time for me to turn the page, I want to be part of the national team until I retire as a professional player. Every time there’s an opportunity, whether it’s a friendly or a competitive match, I want to be on that list. Sure, I’m a little disappointed but I’m not the one who makes the choices. The only thing I can control is my performance in training and in matches. I know that this is a smaller group because I spoke with Jesse Marsch and he told me that it was a group that was going from 26 to 23 players and that he wanted to see some new players, but that they would continue to follow me. There’s another window in October, so it’s up to me to keep working and make sure that I have the option of being selected for the next games then.

Q: Do you feel that this door remains open?

SP: Yes.

Q: Is that the feeling you get when you talk to Jesse when you’re seeing the big picture?

SP: Yes. For me, the national team remains a possibility in the sense that I’m not far away. I’ve been part of it since, I was just talking to Alistair Johnston through text message, and I think it’s the first time I’ve not been called up in twelve years. It feels weird, that’s for sure, but at the same time, I don’t think you go from a player who’s part of almost every camp and every selection to nothing at all overnight. That could be the case too, but we’ll see. It’s not the feeling I get when I talk to Jesse Marsh. Personally, I still think I’ve got what it takes, but it’s up to me to keep it up. We’ll see, as I said, I control what I can control.

Q: We’ve often talked this season about a lack of consistency from one game to the next. Is it difficult for you to constantly readjust to new elements?

SP: Yes, for sure, when you change the line-up from game to game at certain positions it’s difficult for the players around. Whether it’s with players who play regularly or players who come into the line-up, we are trying to find a certain chemistry between us. It’s also hard for those players who play a game or two to find their rhythm. At the same time, I put myself in the shoes of the players on the bench who see guys that are under performing and it’s unfair for them to spend three or four games on the bench to give another player the time to find their rhythm and his footing. It’s a double-edged sword because we want to have a certain stability, balance, and consistency but at the same time you must reward players who perform in order send a message to players who don’t by taking them out of the starting line-up. I think there’s a happy medium to be found but that’s not my job and it’s obviously difficult and delicate.

Q: When you have this kind of performance and home thrashing, you get a lot of reactions from fans. What do you say to those fans who reacted to your performances? What do you want to tell them about your last eight games remaining?

SP: I’m always on the positive side but we know that it was a tough game for the team, the club, and the fans of course. I put myself in the shoes of those who were there, both at the stadium and those who watched at home, and it must not have been very pleasant to watch. At the same time, it would be a bit disappointing, both for us and for the fans, to throw in the towel right away because, as I mentioned, we’re two points away from the play-offs. There’s still a big games to be played and we’re going to give it everything we’ve got. Am I saying that we’re going to succeed? Obviously not, I can’t guarantee that. However, the club’s objective, as Gabriel Gervais talked about it at his press conference, is the playoffs, and that’s what we told ourselves before the season even started. We’re still here and we’re not eliminated, so we need the fans behind us, in good times and bad. There’s no doubt that at times like these, when things are a little more difficult, the pill is a little harder to swallow. It’s hard to find reasons to get behind us, but in any case, I know we’re not giving up, we’re not giving up on anything. That’s a bit along the same lines as, obviously, the fans aren’t the ones playing, but if we don’t do it all together, it’s going to be a bit more complicated, so if we can get their support, it would be huge.

Jonathan Sirois

Q: First, congratulations on your selection with Canada. Does that put a little bit of a damper on last Saturday’s defeat?

JS: Yeah, for sure, when there’s a positive in difficult times, I think you must take it. From a personal point of view, it’s a positive for me because it gives me a source of motivation to keep working hard and keep my focus for Saturday.

Q: I know it was a goal to make the national team. Now that you’re going to play against the United States and Mexico, what would you like to bring back from that experience? What would you like to learn?

JS: When you train every day with high-quality players like that, it also raises your standards. If I’m able to bring those standards back here and try to bring the group back up, then that’s what I’ll do. It’s an opportunity for me to go over there and learn and gain experience and bring it back here and take it for the benefit of the group.

Q: Did you have a conversation with Jesse Marsch about your selection? Did he talk to you a little bit about what he liked about you during the last period to select you?

JS: No, not this time. He only sent me a text to give me his decision. He knows our situation and that we’ve got a big game on Saturday against Cincinnati. Maybe he did want to talk to me first, but I think right now he knows we’re all very focused on this.

Q: On your motivation, but also mentally, it’s good to see that despite the occasional defeat or goals, we’re able to analyze your work and see that in the end you’re not so responsible for it all.

JS: Yeah, like you said, mentally, it helps a bit, it lightens the load a bit sometimes. Now it’s up to me to keep working every day in training, to do well in camp, but also to perform well in matches, to keep going so I can eventually be called back.

Q: You had a tough loss on Saturday, is there anything you can build on for the next game and future games?

JS: I think we just need to change our mentality. In the last game, that was the one that really hurt us the most. We were very disconnected and played chaotically and then lost our heads a bit. I think if we can regroup and look at that chemistry defensively, it’s just going to help us for the rest of the game. We know that when we’re confident defensively and don’t give the opposition any space, we know that we’ll still create chances. Going forward, I think that’s the mentality we need to have.

Q: Is it a lack of communication on certain games? In the goals we saw against New England Revolution, there was a lot of slackness and lack of communication, is that really the problem?

JS: It’s a bit of everything. I think it must come intrinsically as well. If we always expect others to tell us, the voice has its strength, but to a certain extent, I think it must come from within us too. Knowing that you must be on the defensive, that you must make the right tackle at the right time, that you must be a little more aggressive in certain situations. Of course, talking always helps, but I think it only goes so far. I think it’s really all the players, not just the defenders. I think the starting eleven on the pitch, we need to do better in all aspects, especially defensively.

Q: It’s obviously no surprise, but because it’s been brewing for a long time, Mathieu Choinière’s departure is now confirmed. How do the players react to this?

JS: I’ve known him for a long time, and he’s a hard-working guy. Seeing him leave for Europe, I’m just happy for him. Of course, I’m sad to see a guy I’ve known for a long-time leave, but he was someone who was very well liked in the dressing room and we’re happy for him and for the future of his career. He’s someone we’ll be watching from afar too.

Q: How long have you known Mathieu?

JS: I went to the academy when I was fourteen and fifteen, and Mathieu was already there when I arrived. When I went to train with the U17s, when I was U15, Mathieu was already there. He’s someone I’ve worked with since I was very young, and when I signed my professional contract in 2020, he’d already been with the first team for a couple of years. I must have known him for at least seven or eight years.

Q: What impact does he have on the field, and how do you see things going on without him?

JS: We all have a lot of confidence in Nathan Saliba too. He’s logically the guy who can keep up, and I think Nathan also has a certain leadership style that’s different from Mathieu’s, but he’s also capable of making a huge contribution. It doesn’t matter who’s going to play in his position alongside Sam, or anything else that the coach decides to do, I think it’s all about trusting the person who’s going to play, and then it’s up to that person to bring their 100% to the table.

Q: How do you adjust your ability to intervene in situations inside or outside, depending on the different habits of your defenders? How can you influence your defenders so that everyone stays on the same wavelength and reads each other better?

JS: I think through the training we do during the week. Like today, we did some short rounds with different teams so we could see all the defenders Joel, Joaquin, Gabriel, and George. We defend with all of them during the week and I think it gives you a better idea of what to expect with certain defenders. Just like last weekend, if my back three are completely different from last week, at least it’s not a total surprise and I’m not absolutely lost. I think that rotating a bit like that with everyone, seeing everyone at training and developing a certain chemistry with guys like that, I think that can help.

Q: As a goalkeeper, how do you manage to influence the overall energy when it’s a bit like in Seattle, where the floodgates are open, everyone’s gargling on the attack and finally, you’re left a little abandoned on that third, fourth or fifth goal. Sometimes there’s that one goal too many that could have kept you in the game, how do you manage to communicate that?

JS: I tried in the last game, but I don’t think I was firm enough, and I can take responsibility for that. When we conceded the third goal, I think I can be firmer with certain guys and really ask them to stay behind instead of letting things go. I don’t think we always want to fall into complaining and negativity. That’s why sometimes, when you concede a goal it’s easy to whine and use that kind of language. I try not to fall into things like that and not make big negative movements or shout for nothing. Sometimes just letting out your frustration and letting the other person know can help too. I think it’s up to me to be a bit more expressive at times, and then to be a bit firmer about what I want. We can’t afford to give up four or five goals every game. There are times when you must be realistic and a bit more mature. Yes, we want to score when we’re at home, but there are times when you just have to close the valves at the back and stay compact.