We asked four FC Montreal players five questions about their first USL season: Fabio Morelli, Zachary Sukunda, Janouk Charbonneau and Mitchel Bringolf.
1 – What did you like the most in 2015 in the USL?
Morelli: Playing in front of big crowds, over thousands of people.
Sukunda: The level of play and professionalism. Moving up from an academy level league to a pro league is a huge difference in the environment.
Charbonneau: The level of play. It was a good opportunity to play at a professional level, we learned a lot. We have to learn fast, but it helps us getting to get closer to the next level, which is the final goal.
Bringolf: How much the team bonded and grew together throughout the season and how we were able to show others and ourselves that we have the ability to play professional soccer.
2 – What’s the toughest opponent you played (team)?
Morelli: Rochester. We had a lot of difficulties against them and as a player, I liked playing against Obasi. It was a good dual.
Sukunda: The best team we faced was Charleston. We got good results against them but I thought they had a good style of play. They liked to slow the game down and possess the ball.
Charbonneau: New York and Louisville were really good teams with good play intentions. Rochester also, even more so when they played at home.
Bringolf: The toughest team we faced was Louisville City. They are the best team when it comes to trying to play and get out of pressure with passes and dribbling.
3 – What was your favorite trip?
Morelli: The 10-day trip to Charleston, Louisville and St Louis because we had good performances and we felt like a united team with good results.
Sukunda: Easily the 10-day trip to Charleston, Louisville and St Louis. Fantastic performances, but it also showed how much closer the team got.
Charbonneau: No doubt, the 10-day trip. After a tie against Charleston while playing with 10 men, we showed character and it gave us momentum for the other games. The 1-0 win in Toronto in July was also a good moment.
Bringolf: Charleston, Louisville and St Louis. It gave the team a good chance to bond. It was also my first games back after my injury. It felt good to be back with the team.
4 – What are you looking forward to most in 2016?
Morelli: Getting into the playoffs.
Sukunda: Having a great season with a lot of minutes and good experiences.
Charbonneau: I’m excited to play again and show the league that after this year, we learnt and we won’t wait 14 days to get positive results.
Bringolf: I'm looking forward to us starting the season the way we finished it. We have more experience now and should not have a slow start. If we play the way we finished the season we will have a good chance of making it to the playoffs.
5 – Who will win the USL final this year?
Morelli: Louisville.
Sukunda: Louisville or Charleston
Charbonneau : The Rochester Rhinos.
Bringolf : Louisville. They have Matt Fondy who had an incredible season.
