Technical director Adam Braz reflects upon first 17 MLS games
As the Bleu-blanc-noir returns to MLS action Wednesday to kick start the second part of the season, technical director Adam Braz came back on the team’s performance to start the 2017 campaign, as well as going into what is needed to improve in order to climb up the standings and to be above the red line at season’s end.
On possible additions to the squad
We are in the process of finalizing a loan deal for a left-sidedcentre-back. We hope to be able to announce something concrete in the next couple of days. We plan to improve the squad. We are not happy with where we are in the standings. We understand status quo is not okay.
Left-back was a priority when Ambroise Oyongo went down with a long-term injury and we acquired Shaun Francis in a trade with San Jose. We want to continue to upgrade the squad. It’s about finding the right profile that is available and fits within the salary cap.
On what needs to be improved
We are disappointed with the first half of the season. We have to improve on the defensive side of things and concede a lot less goals. We have to be able to close out games. We lost seven points at the end of games. We need to change things and make certain upgrades. It’s about having the right mentality defensively, individually and collectively, to be tighter as a group, to make sacrifices in different ways on the defensive sideand to be able to execute and make plays. We hope we can improve in order to reach our objectives.
On the importance of home games
Seven of our next nine games are at home. We have to take care of these games and will need the support of our supporters. Stade Saputo is incredible when it’s noisy. The 12th player really gives a boost to our team. Our players have said it many times. We need the support of our fans to help us turn things around in the second half of the season.
On injuries impeding the team’s progress
With injuries and different changes to the lineup up front, we have scored 27 goals, which is pretty good. I am excited at the prospect of having guys coming back from injury and having a fully healthy squad for Mauro to choose from in order to continue that trend. Offensively, we are good; we just have to find the balance and have the right mentality on the other side of the ball to be tighter and more solid defensively.
