Djordje Mihailovic 'frustrated' at USMNT omission, turns attention to Decision Day
By Chris Smith
CF Montreal midfielder Djordje Mihailovic has revealed he's "rightfully frustrated" after being left out of the November roster by Gregg Berhalter.
The 22-year-old has been in wonderful this season since switching from the Chicago Fire to CF Montreal, currently leading the league in assists (14). He's also completed more dribbles (58) and created more overall chances (74) than any other Montreal player.
Mihailovic has been the catalyst for the unexpected MLS Cup Playoff qualification challenge by the Canadian MLS side. Many expected this to be enough for a USMNT call up but when the latest roster was announced on Thursday, his name was nowhere to be found.
“No, I haven’t heard anything," Mihailovic told MLSsoccer.com. "I think I’m rightfully allowed to be a little frustrated, but I can only control what I can control.”
Though he's disappointed not to get a call-up this time, Mihailovic is confident his time will come again soon, with every MLS game coming under scrutiny from former Columbus Crew boss Berhalter.
“It bothers me a little bit," he added. "I’ve played well, but the national team staff knows what they want. They see every game, I know that for a fact, so if I keep playing this well I know my time will come again.”
MLS primary assist leaders:
— Chris Smith (@CJSmith91) November 4, 2021
?? D.Mihailovic #CFMTL- 14
?? C. Gil #NERevs- 13
??????? J. Price #Rapids96- 12
?? A. Herrera #RSL- 10
?? H. Mukhtar #EveryoneN- 10
?? M. Moralez #NYCFC- 10
Mihailovic's assist for Kamal Miller vs Houston takes the #USMNT midfielder ahead of Carles Gil ?
Right now, Mihailovic is squaring his focus purely on trying to get Montreal above the Playoff line. The Canadian side have spent much of the season in the top seven but, with Decision Day upon us, they sit in eighth and need a win over Orlando City to guarantee their spot.
“These are the games that everybody wants to play in, a do or die game," Mihailovic said of Sunday's clash.
"The pressure we all live for, this is why we play professional sports. We put ourselves in this situation with our work all year long, we’re rewarded with this opportunity. At the end of the game if I can walk away with giving everything I have, if I walk away having no energy, I won’t have any regrets.”
Should Montreal only draw or lose to Orlando, their Playoff dream will be up in smoke.