CF Montreal 2022 MLS season preview: Tactics, predicted XI, predictions

After just barely missing out on the MLS Cup Playoffs in 2021, CF Montreal are looking to go one better this season.

The fact they were competitive and sealed a Canadian Championship title - securing Concacaf Champions League soccer in the process - will leave many quietly celebrating success in Wilfried Nancy's first season in charge.

But it was still very much a transition year and CFM won't be happy until they're Playoff regulars.

So, here's everything you need to know about CF Montreal ahead of the new MLS season, including tactics, key players, and predictions.

How did CF Montreal perform in 2021?

Though they finished down in 10th, Montreal's Playoff battle went right down to Decision Day. A win over Orlando City would have seen them jump all the way to sixth but in the end, they ran out of steam with a 2-0 loss. A run of just two wins in their final nine games finally caught up with them.

But as mentioned, Nancy's side went all the way to beat Toronto FC in the Canadian Championship final. Silverware in the bag and CCL qualification in year one under a head coach? Not a bad start at all.

Now, it's time to stitch those spells of pretty soccer into a consistent, winning formula.

CF Montreal transfer activity

Transfers in

• Alistair Johnston (from Nashville SC, $1m)
• Kei Kamara (free transfer)
• Ahmed Hamdi (from El Gouna, undisc.)
• Joaquin Torres (from Newell's II, undisc.)
• Matko Miljevic (from Argentinos Jrs, free transfer)
• Ismael Kone (from Saint-Laurent, free transfer)
• Ivy Brisma (SuperDraft)
• Jojea Kwizera (SuperDraft)
• Lassi Lappalainen (from Bologna, undisc.)
• Gabriele Corbo (from Bologna, loan)
• Logan Ketterer (free agent)

Transfers out

• Emanuel Maciel (to Aldosivi, free transfer)
• Ballou Tabia (to Atletico Ottawa, free transfer)
• Clement Bayiha (to HamKam, undisc.)
• Aljaz Struna (released)
• Mustafa Kizza (released)
• Tomas Giraldo (released)

Wilfried Nancy: Tactics and style of play

With Nancy only taking over from the departing Thierry Henry weeks before the season started, it was always going to be tough for him to stamp his own authority on CF Montreal.

In the end, he stuck with his compatriot's three-man center-back system, but gave them far more attacking freedom. It was still pragmatic, but Nancy put more of a focus on counter-attack and taking advantage of transition moments rather than just bunkering down.

And most importantly, he got the ball to Djordje Mihailovic as much as possible...

CF Montreal predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Breza; Johnston, Corbo, Miller; Brault-Guillard, Piette, Wanyama, Lappalainen; Torres, Mihailovic; Quioto.

Who are CF Montreal's key players?

Djordje Mihailovic

Almost everything good about CF Montreal in 2021 ran through Mihailovic. The USMNT playmaker was a true creative force and nobody, not even MVP Carles Gil, could match his 14 assists.

Nancy's plan was simple. Soak up pressure then cause that much chaos on the break that Mihailovic repeatedly gets space to operate. Simple, but smart.

As a result of his form, Mihailovic is now back in the conversation for Gregg Berhalter's national team and another big season for Montreal will have him kicking the door down.

Romell Quioto

Had a muscle injury not disrupted his season, there's every chance Romell Quioto would have finished 2021 in double figures for both goals and assists having registered eight and five, respectively, in just 19 games (14 starts).

The Honduran can frustrate at times, but his speed and dribbling make him incredibly effective for a team that likes to counter. Though his goal was disallowed, he's already hit the net against Liga MX opposition in this season's Concacaf Champions League and looks sharp.

A fully fit season from Quioto could be transformative for CFM.

Victor Wanyama

With the freedom allowed to the likes of Mihailovic and Joaquin Torres on the break, Montreal needed a solid midfield pairing behind them, that could still move the ball nicely as well.

Victor Wanyama performed both those jobs to a good standard in 2021. The Kenyan midfielder came out in the top two or three in a number of key defensive metrics like tackles, interceptions and recoveries, while he ranked highly for ball-carrying, progressive passing and passes into the final third - he was first among his teammates for the latter.

Wanyama is adept on the ball, robust without it and adds great top-level experience to a team that is largely short of star names.

CF Montreal 2022 season prediction

Montreal were strong on the whole last year, even if they didn't make the Playoffs in the end.

That said, a lot of teams in the Eastern Conference have strengthened significantly, while Montreal have only really tied down some existing players and brought in Alistair Johnston from Nashville.

Unless further reinforcements arrive, the limit to their success might well be competing in the lower end of the Playoff race and another Canadian Championship run.

Prediction: 10th in the Eastern Conference