On all platforms : https://linktr.ee/TheOtherSideofThePond
The hard thing with a rebrand is, you’ll never please everyone, and there are always detractors hiding in a room of supporters. Types of people who will always like the old way, old brand, and old image, sometimes with good reason and sometimes just out of fear of stepping out of their comfort zone. Even Hot Sauce Sports, based in Montreal is also going through a rebrand. We at The Other Side of The Pond recently came on board to provide weekly Soccer content, Healthy Skratch has joined and is all about Hockey, and Esports is also coming in the future. We hope you like our changes and new ideas, but for now back to the news.
Hate it or love it, the Montreal Impact are gone, and Cf Montreal is here! (Club de Foot Montreal)
The team has been trying to attract European and global talent for years now, while cementing itself as a ‘trusted brand’ within the MLS, this change does signal one thing: the team is going nowhere. They had 1 truly renowned superstar in Didier Drogba, with a few other common names from European leagues, Bacary Sagna and Marco Di Vaio. Currently in the roster: Ex Barcelona player Bojan Krkić and old Southampton midfielder Victor Wanyama are under head coach Thierry Henry’s wing.
The club and owners believe this transition to Cf Montreal was the first step that needed to be taken to bring them to that next level. MLS is growing, why can’t Montreal have an Ibrahimovic, a Rooney, Pirlo, Gerrard,or even Lampard? Didier was the biggest player to come here, ever, but the current coach was even BIGGER than him while he was still playing. All of these moves the team makes are for one reason: become more competitive, attract better players. Given this is Quebec, a French speaking province in an English speaking country, any name needed to be French oriented, given the Cf. I like it, it seems more professional, more the traditional ‘’European way’’, what was an Impact anyways? It has been several years since the team actually made an Impact.
The new logo is a clever looking snowflake, yes you read that correctly, a SNOWFLAKE. If you look at it well enough, you will see 4 x M’s with a bunch of arrows pointed inwards, and notice a pattern that resembles a maple leaf within a snowflake. The club says it represents the ice in the veins of Montrealer’s, whether we agree with them or not is beside the point. The rebrand was a good idea, in a growing league that is gaining a lot of respect from Europe and Montreal want to be recognized for who they are and what they have to offer. One thing to note, it can be seen offensive to call someone a snowflake, but the more I look at the logo it grows on me.
Getting back to the Mls and the respect it is gaining over in Europe, Jose Mourinho, one of the best managers currently still working had good things to say about the league at a recent United Soccer Coaches convention. He let us North Americans know that Europe is coming for our talent. Club scouts now believe they can find talent in this market after seeing McKennie, Pulisic and a number of other former MLS players tearing up European leagues. Mourinho also highlighted Canadian Lb Alphonso Davies, how he made the jump to Bayern Munich and is now already a Champions League winner.
The Tottenham coach says he watches MLS games when he gets the chance due to the time difference between England. He noted that while the league is full of Central and South American talent, the number of home grown players is increasing and so is the quality they possess. Competitiveness and mixed skill sets is what he highlighted the most, he appreciates what North America is doing for the sport and enjoys holding summer camps on this side of the pond. His next challenge won’t be the MLS, but International management, desiring to coach at a Euro or World cup one day in the future.
Last week we discussed Toronto Fc and their hunt for a new coach, well it he’s been found, Chris Armas former New York Red Bulls manager. He will take over a squad that did not perform up to par last season, and is kind of in a rebuild mode. The new Gaffer noted the team will have a new style of play and clear direction with the players knowing their roles. Trophies are the goal with the team that was a powerhouse only a few years ago.
Toronto Fc captain Michael Bradley is excited and has good words to say about his new coach:
Last but not least, the European winter transfer window is open, meaning players are going in and out; some might come over to the MLS with others moving abroad. Manchester United back up striker Odion Ighalo who will be leaving the club after January 31st recently said in an interview that he would love the chance to play in the MLS. Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil is still deciding on joining Dc United or Turkish giants Fenerbahce. Fc Dallas’s Bryan Reynolds is set to join Juventus in a complicated deal. For starters he needs to renew his passport, and then he will fly to Italy and join Benevento on loan for the rest of the Serie A season. Once the campaign is over he will join his new club Juventus and reunite with former Fc Dallas player Weston McKennie.
Speculation over the future of Lionel Messi also throws his name into play, if he does sign for Manchester City, there is a huge chance he will play for sister club New York Fc kind of a reverse to what Frank Lampard did during off seasons. (Lampard was signed to Ny and then loaned to City)
The growth is here for the MLS and the only direction is up. The future is bright for our Soccer world.
That time Hot Sauce Sports and Terry Tam interviewed former Arsenal, Manchester City and Montreal Impact player Bacary Sagna: