Wanyama is trying to work his way back to Montreal’s starting line up, having been ostracised for the better part of last season.
Former Harambee Stars midfielder Victor Wanyama featured for FC Montreal as they were brushed aside 4-1 by Tamper Bay in their last pre-season friendly match ahead of the 2024 MLS season.
Wanyama came on as a 64th minute substitute and those minutes he received were vital in helping him ready for the new season, as he seeks a start against Nabi Kibunguchy’s Orlando City when the season starts on 25th January.
Sunusi Ibrahim opened the scoring for Montreal, but Tamper Bay Rowdies would score two goals, one in the 31st minute and the other in the 39th minute to give them the lead into the break.
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Montreal just could not get going, and Rowdies would add a third right after the break.
It was at that point Wanyama was introduced as a substitute, but he could not help Montreal prevent shipping in another goal to make it 4-1, to end the Canadian’s pre-season outing badly.
The Kenya international had fallen out of favour under previous coach Losada who rarely selected him in the final months of last season as he started just one game since mid-July and his bit-part role led to a furious bust-up with the coach when he sought answers over his limited playing time.
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Wanyama’s place in midfield was taken by 19-year-old academy graduate Nathan Saliba and it remains to be seen if Courtois will keep trust in the youngster given he was hired primarily due to his work with youth at Columbus Crew II.
Wanyama will have to fight off stiff competition for a starting place in Montreal’s central midfield since besides Saliba, captain Samuel Piette and Ilias Iliadis, youngsters Mathieu Choinière (24) and Bryce Duke (22) are also angling for a starting role.
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