CF Montréal Kicks Off New Season Under Coach Marco Donadel

CF Montréal is entering a new chapter as it opens its 2026 training camp under the guidance of head coach Marco Donadel. This follows a challenging 2025 season, which marked the worst performance in the club’s 33-year history. The team finished with just 28 points and boasted the poorest home record in Major League Soccer (MLS).

In response to last season’s struggles, club management issued a letter to fans, acknowledging the disappointing results and committing to a comprehensive rebuild. As the team prepares for the upcoming season, Donadel has set a clear objective: to improve both the on-field performance and the overall team culture.

New Strategies and Player Acquisitions

“Every team has to be open to change and add something new each year,” Donadel remarked, reflecting on his first season as the permanent head coach after stepping in on an interim basis last year following the dismissal of Laurent Courtois. “We know what we need tactically and in the locker room. Last year we got 28 points; this year we want to achieve 20 more.”

Montreal has been active in the transfer market this offseason, signing several new players, including defenders Brayan Vera and Dangur Thorhallsson, midfielder Ivan Losenko, and striker Daniel Rois. These acquisitions aim to enhance the squad’s depth, which was a significant issue last season due to injuries and a lack of suitable substitutes.

Team captain Samuel Piette, who led the youngest team in MLS with an average age of 23.7, noted the positive impact of the new signings. “It feels like we have a group that’s a bit more mature and experienced. It’s going to help with some of the more complicated moments in games and will help us have more of a united team spirit,” he stated.

Thorhallsson expressed enthusiasm about joining the team, highlighting Donadel’s proactive approach in recruiting. “(Donadel) was very interested; he called me a couple of times… I feel like he sold it really well,” he said. “I’m a player who can play all over the field, and I think I could thrive in this system.”

Building a Stronger Team Culture

Donadel’s initial focus as interim coach was to establish a solid foundation after a rocky start, which saw the team collect only one point from its first six matches. As he now embarks on a full season, he aims to refine his tactical approach. “The tactics are pretty similar, so now that we know the base, we can work on the details,” Prince Owusu remarked. “This is even more important because we had many good chances where we missed the last pass.”

Owusu experienced a breakthrough season last year, finishing as the club’s top scorer with 13 goals and five assists, as well as earning his first senior caps for Ghana. He has fully embraced Donadel’s strategies and is eager to continue building chemistry with his teammates.

As part of their preparations, Montreal will travel to Marbella, Spain, for a three-week training camp, wrapping up their preseason activities in Florida. The team is scheduled to play five friendly matches—two in Marbella and three in Florida—as they gear up for the 2026 season.

This report was originally published on January 12, 2026, by The Canadian Press.