As ‘home’ openers go, it’s as tough and as strange as they come...
The pandemic dominates the picture. Not only is it the overwhelming condition that’s ensured untold volumes of player unavailability hampering pre-season preparation, it’s also forced Montreal to relocate to a completely other football market, sunny Florida.
Yet while there are worse places, it’s not home, and like last season Montreal fans are being forced to watch their exiled favourites only via the the silver screen or through the wonders of wifi.
Arch-rival Toronto FC make the short trip from their own temporary Orlando base to Quebec’s little corner of Fort Lauderdale tomorrow to play in a pink stadium, presumably disguised in blue.