The Times Herald (Norristown, PA)
New role suits Montiero just fine
CHESTER >> In trying to sum up Jamiro Monteiro’s contributions to Saturday’s 4-2 loss at Yankee Stadium, Jim Curtin hit a linguistic speedbump.
“The two assists against New York City are both world-class balls,” Curtin said. “Those are passes that are top, top, elite passes to get us goals.”
That wasn’t necessarily what the Union expected when they signed the Cape Verdean midfielder in March. They anticipated the suite of tackling and industriousness that made him worth around $3 million to French club Metz a year earlier. Curtin knew he was getting a hard-presser who wouldn’t shy away from challenges, and he had seen Monteiro’s ability to shoot outside the box and deliver set pieces.
But the final-third touch Monteiro has displayed is one of many reasons why Curtin is so enamored of his allaround ability.
“He’s comfortable in tight spaces, so that No. 10 position, turning, finding gaps, also setting our line defensively and winning balls in the middle and starting transitions, he’s been really good,” Curtin said Tuesday at training. “He’s asked to do a lot, to cover a lot of ground, and the kid has been incredible for us. He’s a top player, we’re really happy to have him going now.”
His wiry build, low center of gravity and astute reading for the field is typical of a No. 6, but Monteiro is more accustomed in Holland to manning the left midfield role, what he calls a left No. 8 in the 4-3-3 typical of the Dutch style. It’s analogous to the left midfield he’s played in the Union’s 4-4-2 diamond, a central role that involves maneuvering in tight spaces rather than providing width.
“I always play a little bit like that, but like the last game, I play at the No. 10,” Monteiro said. “But the difference is not very big. You play more in attacking, but it’s more like the left midfield position. For me, it’s the same, I have no problems with it. “
Monteiro was somewhat of an unknown quantity to many in MLS, something that the Union (9-5-5, 32 points) have capitalized on. Monteiro’s European sample size is small: Just 54 games in the Dutch Eredivisie (20 for Camburr in 2015-16 and, after relegation, 34 for Heracles Almelo in 2017-18). He played only three games for Metz, shunted to the bench after a coaching change in the fall.
The No. 10 spot is relatively new to him, but all that changes is the space – interchanging with forwards instead of deeper-lying mids or outside backs, and in the position on the field where Monteiro can use his defensive ability to generate turnovers and take possession. No matter where he plays, he’s not absolved of that defensive ability, and he uses his aggressiveness to generate his attack.
It showed Saturday. First, he looped an outstanding ball over the backline for Fafa Picault to trap with his back to goal, turn and finish in the 7th minute. In the 30th, Monteiro picked out the assertive nearpost run as Ilsinho charged to the byline, positioning himself to flick Ilsinho’s cross back into the path of Kacper Przybylko’s superb half volley.
Wherever Monteiro lines up, the first trait that struck Curtin is his inborn reflex to play positively. His first instinct is always to move forward, ideal for Ernst Tanner’s pressing, counter-attacking style.
That tendency, regardless of position, is what helps Monteiro adapt.
“I always play like that,” he said. “When I win the ball, I always want to go forward. I’m a player that always wants to play and play forward. So at the No. 10 position, it’s a good moment when you win the ball and you can directly go forward. But even at left midfield, when I win the ball, I always go forward.”