Mount Royal Soccer: All Posts by C. Ralph

What happened to the academy graduates after they left?

2017-02-07T13:53:16-05:00

Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

What ever happened to the first generation of academy graduates?

Since 2013, four members of the Impact Academy have graduated to the senior team with professional contracts, only to find themselves cut loose. These players have all bounced around, and still play soccer professionally, albeit in colours other than Impact blue. Today, Mount Royal Soccer asks: Where are they now?

Zakaria Messoudi

Messoudi was the first member of the academy to graduate into the ranks of the Impact senior squad, and was overlooked by coach Marco Schillibaum immediately. He would never see the field with the Impact, and was never even selected for a place on the bench. In 2014, he was loaned to the Ottawa Fury where he failed to make the pitch as well. He currently plays for Odds BK in the Eliteserien (Tippeligaen), Norway’s top division of soccer. He has played in only two games, both as substitutions.

Karl Ouimette

Karl Ouimette disputed 20 games with the Impact from 2012 – 2014, managing to score a game-winning goal in 2013 against Philadelphia. He made the field in 18 matches with the New York Red Bulls as well, before being loaned to the New York Red Bulls II, their USL affiliate, and later the Jacksonville Armada of the NASL. He has signed with the newly formed San Francisco Deltas of the NASL for the 2017 season, under former Montréal Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. He is currently an active member of the Canadian National Team.

Maxim Tissot

Despite playing in 44 games with the Montréal Impact, and netting 5 goals between 2013 – 2016, it was not enough to secure a permanent place on the Impact roster. Only a few days after leaving Montréal, Tissot found himself playing – and starting – in 19 of 19 games with the Ottawa Fury, where he scored two goals and netted two assists. He is currently pursuing international opportunities, according to an interview with On jase soccer in December 2016. He is currently an active member of the Canadian National Team.

Jérémy Gagnon-Laparé

Jérémy Gagnon-Laparé (JGL) played in only 7 matches with the Impact before being loaned to FC Montréal, where he played 16 games and scored a single goal. For much of the 2015 season, he would be loaned to the Ottawa Fury where he would earn time on the field only once, albeit during play-off competition. In 2016, JGL would return to FC Montréal to dispute 13 matches, principally as a defensive midfielder. In January 2017, after a brief trial with Stade Rennais in Ligue 1, he signed a contract with AS Vitré, in the Championnat de France Amateur (CFA), which acts as the 4^th division in France. He made his first appearance with the club in February 2017. Like both Maxim Tissot and Karl Ouimette, he is an active member of the Canadian National Team.

2017 Should be Jackson-Hamel’s Year

2017-01-25T15:45:27-05:00

Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

It's time for Jackson-Hamel to shine!

Fans of the Montréal Impact will lament his loss, but there can be no denying; Didier Drogba is gone. He was probably one of the biggest names to ever come to MLS, and certainly the biggest to ever come to Canada. His shoes will be very large, and it will take someone special to replace him.

Perhaps a 23 year old kid from Québec City can give it a shot? (Yes, he’s from Québec, even if he has the Montréal skyline tattooed on his arm!)

Now, I understand that many here are skeptics by nature, and many more simply don’t trust unexperienced players. Even more dislike the notion of developing and building local talent when we could simply import a solution. That is simply a reality of the Montréal mindset. However, I maintain that Jackson-Hamel is fundamentally a different type of player.

Firstly, he loves Montréal (see tattoo for reference). As long as the Impact exist, we do not have to worry about him running off for a more lucrative contract. Loyalty matters, as Drogba proved time and time again, when he lit the Twitterverse on fire with transfer rumours. In Jackson-Hamel, we have found a player with whom we can identify, and who has a deep commitment to his club.

Secondly, he is only 23. Most soccer players hit their prime in their late 20’s, and can have careers well into their 30’s. The Impact could reasonably profit from a career striker that loves his city well into the next decade. The fact that he does not cost a lot, and is a homegrown player merely compounds his value to the club. Jackson-Hamel is a great return on investment. He already has one career goal in MLS in only 3 appearances, all late game substitutions. This is simple economics.

Jackson-Hamel needs minutes this year. He’s proven he can score with a quality team around him, as he has done for the Montréal Impact. He has also proven that he can score with an awful team surrounding him, as he did while playing for the Canadian National Team. That’s versatility!

Matteo Mancuso will not be a long-term solution for the Impact, as he will eventually return to Italy. He is also only a single player, and cannot possibly compete in all 32 games of the MLS regular season for 90 minutes each. Everyone has limitations.

Anthony Jackson-Hamel is the in-house solution that Montréal will need this year. He might not fill Didier Drogba’s shoes just yet, but that’s no reason to prevent him from trying.

Rétrospective 2016: L'équipe nationale féminine

2017-01-02T19:38:34-05:00

Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

Rétrospective 2016

Je ne crois pas qu'il serait exagéré d’affirmer que l'Équipe nationale féminine était de loin l'équipe de soccer la plus performante au Canada en 2016, au niveau national ou au niveau du club. Elles termineront l’année 2016 comme étant la 4ème meilleure équipe au monde selon le classement de la FIFA. Ce n'est pas un petit exploit étant donné qu'il n'y a pas de ligue professionnelle féminine en activité au Canada et malgré le fait que les États-Unis et le Mexique soient tous deux des concurrents. En effet, il n'y a pas de club professionnel féminin au Canada.

Malgré leur manque d'opportunités domestiques et leur augmentation des salaires, l'équipe féminine a triomphé à plusieurs reprises tout au long de l'année et s'est facilement consolidée comme l'un des principaux acteurs mondiaux du soccer féminin.

Qualification Olympique 2016

En février, le Canada a commencé le processus de qualification pour les Jeux Olympiques de 2016 à Rio de Janeiro. Le Canada a généralement été un concurrent important au sein de la fédération locale, la CONCACAF, et il a toujours été dans les deux premières équipes. Cependant, avec la création d'une ligue féminine au Mexique et la croissance du NWSL aux États-Unis, le Canada devra faire face à une concurrence croissante dans les années à venir en Amérique du nord.

Malgré l'absence apparente d'infrastructures de développement, le Canada a terminé en deuxième position dans la région de la CONCACAF, avec un record de cinq victoires et une seule défaite. Le Canada a marqué vingt-quatre buts dans le processus de qualification, battant la Guyane 5-0, Trinité-et-Tobago 6-0, le Guatemala 10-0 et le Costa Rica 3-1. Le Canada a perdu un seul match tout au long de la qualification contre les États-Unis (2-0).

Le fait de marquer vingt-quatre buts lors de la qualification olympique a été génial, car le manque de buts a été un handicap majeur pour l'équipe lors de la Coupe du Monde Féminine de la FIFA 2015. Toutefois, le point saillant pour beaucoup était que le Canada a également renforcé la défense en ne concédant que trois buts en cinq matchs pour un ratio total de buts concédés de 7:1.

C'est une réalisation incroyable. Toutefois, si le Canada manque de débouchés professionnels pour les femmes, de nombreux pays de la CONCACAF sont bien pires.

La coupe Algarve 2016

2016 est devenue une année charnière pour l'équipe féminine. Si nous avions prêté attention, nous aurions réalisé à quel point notre équipe était déterminée à gagner en mars, quand ils ont réclamé leur premier titre à la Coupe Algarve qui se tient chaque année au Portugal. Le Canada a vaincu les équipes européennes établies et compétitives et a solidifié ses progrès après la qualification olympique.

L'équipe féminine nationale a remporté sa toute première Coupe Algarve en 2016, battant la Belgique 1-0, l'Islande 1-0 et le Brésil 2-1. Les Canadiennes n’ont perdu qu'un match contre le Danemark, une défaite 1-0. L'équipe nationale féminine a gagné un trophée majeur et n’a fait que prêcher ce qui allait arriver à Rio de Janeiro.

Entres nos amies

La plupart des fans de soccer international ne suivent pas les matchs amicaux aussi étroitement que les tournois. Cependant, au Canada, notre équipe de femmes joue rarement dans notre pays, n'a pas de championnat ou de club professionnel et les matchs amicaux sont souvent la seule fois où l'équipe peut expérimenter avec ses tactiques et ses formations.

Après le succès de la Coupe du Monde Féminine de la FIFA 2015, l'Association canadienne de soccer a finalement amené l'équipe à l’est des prairies pour jouer deux matchs amicaux en Ontario, à Toronto et à Ottawa respectivement. L'équipe a été battue à Toronto et a été victorieuse à Ottawa contre les rivaux continentaux du Brésil. Plus de 50 000 personnes ont assisté aux deux matchs.

L'équipe nationale féminine a également remporté les matchs amicaux contre les Pays-Bas (2-1) et la Chine (1-0) et a perdu contre la France (1-0). C'était l'une des saisons amicales les plus impressionnantes pour l'équipe nationale féminine et montre que l'intérêt pour l'équipe est en croissance exponentielle. Elle a également marqué un tournant dans la croissance du soccer féminin à l'échelle nationale, alors que le match amical contre la France a été diffusé à l'échelle nationale sur la chaîne CBC.

Les Jeux olympiques de Rio de Janeiro 2016

J'ai déjà longuement parlé de la performance historique de l'équipe féminine à Rio de Janeiro. Il suffit de dire qu'elle a inauguré l'âge du bronze du soccer au Canada et mérite d'être la pièce maîtresse du soccer canadien.

L'Impact de l'équipe féminine

Chaque match de qualification olympique du Canada a été diffusé en ligne, via CBC, et c'était la première fois que l'ancienne gardienne Karina LeBlanc offrait des commentaires pendant le match. Personnellement, son expérience et son expertise ont offert un nouvel aperçu du jeu tel qu'il se déroulait, même pour les adeptes de longue date de l'équipe nationale féminine. CBC a également diffusé le match amical contre la France, pour lequel Karina LeBlanc a encore une fois commenté en direct.

Christine Sinclair, Diana Matheson, Rhian Wilkinson et Karina LeBlanc ont tous formé iS4 (I Strive 4, en Anglais), une société nouvellement constituée qui vise à enseigner la valeur du travail d'équipe, la persévérance et comment le soccer peut être plus qu'un jeu simple. L'entreprise a été présentée dans Postmedia et Canadian Business.

Christine Sinclair a été nommée meilleure joueuse de l'année en 2016. Sinclair et Jessie Fleming ont été nominées pour la meilleure joueuse de la CONCACAF et l'entraîneur-chef, John Herdman, a été nommé meilleur entraîneur.

Localement, chacun des joueurs de l'équipe a eu un impact dans leur communauté. Chacun est apparu dans les médias locaux, a rencontré des dignitaires locaux et a été traité comme un héro à son retour. Cela est justifiable. À titre d'exemple, à Coaticook au Québec, Josée Bélanger a un parc nommé en son honneur. Cela pourrait être banal pour beaucoup, mais elle est (à ma connaissance) la première joueuse de soccer au Canada à avoir quelque chose qui porte son nom. C’est bien mérité.

Très honorée! Je vous présente le Pavillon Josée Bélanger Merci à la @villecoaticook & Club de soccer l'Eclipse pour cette reconnaissance! pic.twitter.com/NQ04UW3CPH
— Josée Bélanger (@JoseeBelanger9) December 5, 2016

Même après avoir organisé la Coupe du monde en 2015, l'équipe féminine canadienne a réussi à faire connaître sa meilleure année. Elle continue d'offrir aux Canadiens le meilleur du monde du soccer et constituent l'histoire la plus intéressante et la plus inspirante du soccer canadien. Heureusement, nous allons continuer à regarder leurs exploits en 2017 avec quelques matches ici au Canada. J'ai tellement hâte.

Bonne année à tous. 2017 sera incroyable.

The Only Disappointing Moment of 2016

2016-12-16T16:15:20-05:00

Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

I am very pleased overall with the 2016 season of l’Impact de Montréal. Remaining in the final four of a playoff series against teams that outspent your own is never an easy feat to accomplish. However, I cannot bring myself to admit that this season was without disappointment. Montréal failed to bring home their own trophy, the chalice that bears the name of the original inhabitants of Ville-Marie; the Voyageurs Cup. That was the most disappointing moment of the 2016 season.

I have written previously how important the Voyageurs Cup has become to Montréal soccer lore, and how the cup has spent more than half its existence in Montréal, despite having many teams compete for the same privilege. However, it is not the trophy itself that funds this disappointment, but rather the absence of the benefits winning incurs. As is common knowledge, the winner of the Voyageurs Cup is entered into the CONCACAF Champions League. The Champions League is easily the most exciting soccer on the continent.

I would gladly trade a few games of the MLS Playoffs – even against Toronto FC - for another chance at international glory in the Champions League.

Why?

Last week, Club América played in the FIFA Club World Cup against Réal Madrid. They were defeated 2-0, as was expected. However, they were only invited to the Club World Cup because they had advanced against Montréal in 2015 in the most epic match in club history. Think about that. Le bleu-blanc-noir were moments away from being able to step onto a pitch in Japan, and play against Christiano Ronaldo, Sergio Ramos and Karim Benzema. The game was broadcast to tens of millions worldwide.

And we missed our chance.

L’Impact de Montréal failed to win the Voyageurs Cup in 2015. That led to the firing of Frank Klopas. In my mind, failing to recapture the trophy that gained your club access to the most important game it has ever played was his greatest sin, including the abysmal 2014 season. Likewise, Mauro Biello failed to capture the trophy again in 2016. Mauro, however, knows Montréal. He was with the club during their meteoric rise to the Champions League quarter-finals in 2009, and was assistant coach for their 2015 attempt. He understands that this trophy, and access to the Champions League must be a priority for a club with an internationalist and cosmopolitan reputation.

Saputo: «Nous ferons tout pour donner aux partisans une équipe qui leur ressemble. Francophone, multiculturelle et passionnée.» #IMFC @RDSca
— Olivier Brett (@Olivier_Brett) December 9, 2016

Mauro Biello has publicly stated that one of the objectives in 2017 is to recapture the Voyageurs Cup. This is welcome news, and in my opinion should be the benchmark against how the club is judged next season. Gaining entrance into the Champions League must be a club priority.

Le bilan de fin de saison de Mauro Biello et des joueurs commence au Centre Nutrilait.
Mauro Biello and the #IMFC players recap the season. pic.twitter.com/7JanKycviy
— Impact de Montréal (@impactmontreal) December 2, 2016

The fact that both Vancouver and Toronto will get a chance to surpass the record of Montréal in the Champions League in coming seasons will hang like the Sword of Damocles over the club’s collective neck. Their reputation as Canada’s club with the best international record is at stake.

The 2016 season was by almost every measure was a success. A deep run in the playoffs, moments of massive excitement and impressive performances from players who have become club legends all contributed to the great run of form the club enjoyed. Perhaps in 2017, Mauro Biello will lead the Impact back into the Champions League, and alleviate any lingering doubt that soccer has truly arrived in Montréal. We can only watch and find out.

Impressive 2016 for Impact Academy Graduates

2016-11-03T13:27:29-04:00

Chris Humphreys-USA TODAY Sports

Despite the headlines, 2016 was an impressive year for Québécois players. Break-out performances from neophytes and thrilling acts from established veterans encapsulated a truly astounding 2016 season for graduates of the academy. Below, Mount Royal Soccer examines some of the accomplishments that Québec players achieved over the last 11 months.

Patrice Bernier

In 2015, le capitaine started only 6 games for l’Impact de Montréal, and was rumoured to be in a state of disagreement with head coach Frank Klopas. After a stunning performance in the 2015 MLS Post-Season, Bernier has once again found his form in the middle of the pitch, starting in 13 regular season games in 2016, and playing in 20. He has achieved this while competing for a place in the starting XI against both Marco Donadel and Hernan Bernardello, both experienced players with considerable skill and drive. His presence on the pitch has been a blessing for the Impact, and his ability to distribute a pass from the lower midfield to heavyweights further up the pitch has been instrumental in many Impact victories. Despite only registering a single assist in 2016, this season may well go down in Impact history as the Brossard native’s best performance in Impact blue. Oh, and he became the first Impact player to ring the North-Star Bell at Stade Saputo.

Maxim Tissot

Maxim Tissot had a rough start to the 2016 season. Early in the season, the Impact parted ways with the academy graduate to free up roster space. Tissot found his way back to Outaouais after barely two weeks off, settling in with le Fury d’Ottawa across the river in the Canadian Capital. Since joining the Fury, Tissot has started 19 games… of 19 played. He has proven himself to be one of the most potent attacking forces along the left-flank in the NASL, able to successfully transition the ball from defence to offence with relative ease. He has even netted himself two goals for the Fury this year, both from a left-footed shot. He has netted himself a couple of assists to boot. The 2016 season has been the most soccer we have seen Tissot play since the academy days, and he has developed and honed his talents in Ottawa. Tellingly, Tissot has found his way back into the line-up of the Canadian National Team, where he has played in several matches since June. Hopefully, we will be seeing more of the Gatineau native in the 2017 season in Ottawa. He has more than earned his place.

Jérémy Gagnon-Laparé

Despite FC Montréal’s dismal 6-2-21 record in the 2016 USL season, Jérémy Gagnon-Laparé managed to have a good season. Gagnon-Laparé started 16 games, bagging himself an assist in the process. However, the record of FC Montréal is deceiving, and does not encapsulate the development and skill of the players that comprise the roster of the club. Gagnon-Laparé is currently on trial with Stade rennais in the French top-flight, Ligue 1. There is no doubt that Ligue 1 is a more difficult league than MLS, and to earn a trial with a club there is noteworthy. To do so having spent the last 12 months with an academy team shows that there is something more to Gagnon-Laparé than we have seen in either Montréal or Ottawa in past seasons.

Ballou Jean-Yves Tabla

L’Impact de Montréal think that have truly found themselves a diamond in the rough in Ballou Jean-Yves Tabla. In late 2016, they signed the 17 year old Ivorien-Canadian to his first professional contract. Ballou has been on the radar of clubs all over Europe and the United Kingdom, including Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City. The fact that l’Impact was his first choice shows that in 2016, Montréal is as attractive a destination for talent as any other major centre. Ballou has represented Canada at the youth level, and has played consistently with FC Montréal, and will now be able to prove himself with l’Impact in MLS regular play.

These players are not alone in their accomplishments. Other academy graduates and local talent from all over Québec had excellent performances in 2016 as well. However, one thing is certain. As soccer continues to grow and improve all over the region, 2017 is on track to be even better for the academy and its graduates than anything we have seen. I, for one, cannot wait.

Eduardo Sebrango is back!

2016-08-29T14:34:39-04:00

Eduardo Sebrango in his first MLS season | Getty

L’Impact de Montréal has announced that Eduardo Sebrango will be taking over the U-14 team as head coach.

This follows a long line of former Impact players joining the team as staff, most notably current head coach Mauro Biello.

Sebrango has been involved with soccer in Montréal since 2002, when he helped the Impact win the Commissioner's Cup in 2005, and the Voyageurs Cup in 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005. He was also instrumental in the historic 2008-2009 CONCACAF Champions League run, where the Impact would advance from the group stages, and defeat Mexican giants Santos Laguna 2-0 in front of more than 55,000 fans. Eduardo Sebrango would score both goals.

He played for Montréal in 2012 during their first season in MLS. Most recently, Sebrango played with FC Lanaudière (formerly FC L'Assomption-Lanaudière) in the Première Ligue de soccer du Québec.

Eduardo Sebrango comes to the Impact Academy after receiving an offer from international superclub, Paris Saint-Germain. He holds a “B” class coaching license.

Welcome back Eduardo!

The Bronze Age of Women’s Soccer

2016-08-19T16:02:46-04:00

Photo by Celso Junior/Getty Images

It was easy to dismiss Canada’s Olympic hopes last February, during Olympic Qualification. Canada was eliminated by England in the Women’s World Cup, an early exit in a tournament in which they were the hosts was a stinging defeat. That memory still lingered among soccer fans last winter. The response of the Women’s Team was convincing. They would go on to defeat Guyana 5-0, Trinidad and Tobago 6-0, Guatemala 10-0 and Costa Rica 3-1. They would lose only a single game in qualifying, to the reigning world champions, the United States.

Despite their impressive qualification, doubts and scepticism remained. When the group stage participants were announced, it was easy to assume Canada would be beaten by both Australia and Germany in the group stage, as they were both ranked ahead of Canada. Even if Canada did advance, the Americans, the Brazilians, the French and the Germans were all heavy favourites. Canada, it was assumed, didn’t have a chance at capturing a medal in the Olympics in 2016. Pre-tournament friendlies, including a loss to France, and a win and a loss against Brazil, did little to instill confidence in Canadian fans.

As with the performance of Canada in London in 2012, someone failed to inform the women’s national team that they were supposed to be underdogs.

Canada began the tournament against Australia, who played the match as favourites. Within the first minute, les rouges made a statement with a goal after only 35 seconds by Janine Beckie, an Olympic record at the time. Zadorsky would earn herself a red card early in the game, and Canada would finish the game with only 10 players on the pitch. Well, that and two goals. Despite all odds, the women’s team had carried the day against a team widely considered superior.

They would display the same ironclad tenacity, and attacking fortitude against Zimbabwe. If the games in Rio was a tale of underdogs, Canada was determined to ensure that they were not involved in an upset. For their part, Canada scored three goals, while conceding only one.

However, the match of the tournament for many Canadians came early – against Germany – in the final match of the Group Stages. Canada would defeat Germany 2-1, a feat they had previously never accomplished, to top their group in Olympic play. Not only did they defeat the 2^nd ranked team in the World, Canada was the only team to take the full 3 points from every group-stage match. That means that Canada, and Canada alone, would advance into the quarter-finals with 9 points. Neither the Americans, nor the French nor the Brazilians could match that impressive feat.

For their efforts, the Canadians were seeded highest in the quarter-finals, and rewarded with a match against France, ranked 3^rd in the world. France had defeated Canada in every match played since the London games, and was looking for revenge. Instead, Canada dispatched les bleus with a Sophie Schmidt goal in what was only Canada’s second victory against France in 4 years. The last victory against the French was, in a twist of fate, in London in 2012.

The Canadians were undefeated in four matches, and had beaten the 2^nd, 3^rd, and 6^th ranked teams in the world. It was the most impressive performance of the tournament, including the Swedes eliminating the United States the day after Canada’s match against the French. Sadly, their luck was about to change.

If the doubters and skeptics were hesitant before the tournament, they were now silenced. Canada was within one game of a guaranteed silver medal, and a chance at gold. Unfortunately, they were to be vindicated only three days later.

In the semi-finals, Canada would lose to Germany 2-0. It was an impressive performance, overall, but Canada’s spell of victories would end. Canada would not leave Rio de Janeiro with a gold or silver medal, and would have to play Brazil for a chance at bronze.

A medal in sight. Canada vs Brazil tomorrow! Watch our bronze medal match, 12 PM ET. #Rio2016 #Olympics #TeamCanada pic.twitter.com/ORlhnSSYch
— Shelina Zadorsky (@Shelina6) August 19, 2016

I am not a believer in either fate, or pre-destination, but on a sunny July day in Brazil, I would gladly forgive anyone who was. 4 years prior, Canada stunned the world by beating France for the bronze medal, after losing in the semi-finals to the United States on controversial refereeing decisions that changed the tempo of the game. 4 years later, Canada would be facing the hosts for a medal, while the United States was eliminated, and facing media scrutiny for unsportsmanlike remarks after their elimination. Perhaps the soccer gods do indeed believe in poetic justice.

With history riding on their shoulders, and in front of 50,000 fans at Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo, Canada would defeat the hosts 2-1, to earn a bronze medal.

Perhaps most importantly, was that the first goal of the game against Brazil was scored by 17 year old Diane Rose. Players like Diane Rose, Jessie Fleming and Janine Beckie will form the core of what will certainly become Canada’s next generation of soccer stars. This generation has grown up in an environment in which Canada’s women’s team could expect –and achieve – greatness. From hosting a World Cup, to winning successive medals in the Olympics, to winning international tournaments like the Algarve Cup, the next generation of Canadian soccer stars will understand that they are no longer underdogs.

ICYMI | #CAN beat #BRA to win #Bronze in women's soccer! Check out the highlights. #Rio2016 https://t.co/JAoL0ve2RK https://t.co/m8CmLYgpKg
— CBC Olympics (@CBCOlympics) August 19, 2016

One bronze medal win is a fluke. Successive wins is a trend. That is an impressive feat for a sport that has no professional club teams in Canada, let alone a professional league. Despite the skeptics, and the lack of a professional league, congratulations are in order for our victorious women’s team. They have ushered in the Bronze Age of Canadian Women’s Soccer, and inspired a generation of young women to follow in their footsteps.

Félicitations, to the entire team. We cannot wait to see what you accomplish next.

International Ambitions: Why Friendlies Matter

2016-08-11T13:31:02-04:00

Impact vs Roma | https://twitter.com/ASRomaEN/media

Montréal is an International City. Are the Impact an International Brand?

Montréal, and l’Impact de Montréal, offer a unique opportunity for international soccer teams. In both friendly matches, and CONCACAF Champions League, l’Impact have consistently drawn big crowds for international games that have raised the profile of the team, and drawn international attention to both the Impact brand, and their challenger.

Montréal has always known how to get big stars. Between Marco Di Vaio, Alessandro Nesta and Didier Drogba, the Impact have consistently drawn attention to themselves internationally for their ability to land talented individuals who want to contribute to the established soccer culture here in Québec. Part of that notoriety stems from an impressive international record, and a unique linguistic and cultural environment that separates Montréal from the rest of MLS. It is this internationalism that Montréal should embrace, in the form of international friendly matches, to enhance the already formidable reputation that the Impact possesses. Indeed, if Didier Drogba was inspired to come to Montréal in part because of the impressive performance of the Impact in the CONCACAF Champions League, imagine what stars would come to Montréal if they possess a broader international pedigree.

However, what teams would draw a crowd? What teams could the Impact play that would give us the pedigree to land a star, generate substantial off-season revenue, and increase brand recognition? Below, we offer four possibilities for future international friendly matches.

A Shared Linguistic Heritage

Montréal is not alone in North America as the only Francophone team. Indeed, several other clubs from the Caribbean Francophonie regularly participate in the CONCACAF Champions League. Don Bosco, Tempête and Violette from Haiti, have all recently participated in the CONCACAF Champions’ League group stages, and have had good form in the Caribbean Football Union club championship. Haiti is not alone in the American Francophonie, with professional soccer clubs also located in Guyane française, Guadeloupe, Dominica, Saint Lucia, Grenada, Saint Vincent, and Martinique. While only Haiti has clubs that could possibly challenge the Impact, each of these nations have sizable expatriate communities in Montréal, and could potentially draw a sizable crowd to a game featuring FC Montréal and a club from their respective country. The Impact tried this against the Haitians in 2013, with the U-21 side, with some success. That being said, with a large Haitian community in Montréal, and the relative success of the Impact in the Champions League, the Impact should consider exploring options for an international friendly – perhaps in pre-season – against a club from Haiti. It could be a revenue generator for the Impact in what would otherwise be the off-season, and could offer unique scouting opportunities for unexposed talent in the region.

Pre-Existing European Connections

While the Caribbean link is certainly a unique opportunity for the Impact, the biggest draw will naturally be larger European clubs. In 2012, the Impact drew 19,000 people to a game with French heavyweights Olympique Lyonnais. More recently, the Impact drew close to 21,000 spectators to a match against Roma, the Italian giants. The Impact now have (or should have) pre-existing relationships forged with these two clubs, along with a direct link to Bologna, in which Impact owner Joey Saputo is heavily involved. These clubs are high quality clubs in European top flights. Developing a tradition of friendly matches against any of these three clubs would be a revenue generator for both franchises, and would allow the Impact to further its branding initiatives at the international level.

Old Friends from Down South

The highlight of the 2015 season was the performance of the Impact in the Champions League. While playing in Mexico, the Impact played several friendlies against Cruz Azul’s academy, and often senior players. Additionally, the Impact played both CD Pachuca, and Club América in Champions League play. The Impact also have a history of both victory and defeat against Mexican giants, Santos Laguna. The Impact are known as a club that can get results in Mexico, at least by their own fans. Outside of MLS, the Impact have played more games against Mexican teams than against all other CONCACAF competitors combined. Clubs in the Mexican top flight, Liga MX, are easily a cut above most MLS teams, and often benefit from stars that participate in the highest level of international play. Luring a Mexican club to Montréal for an international friendly would easily draw a crowd, and increase the brand recognition of the Impact in Mexico.

Destination: Paris of the Pampas

Between Ignacio Piatti, Hernan Bernardello and Lucas Ontivero, the Impact are no stranger to signing Argentinians. The Impact front office, from Adam Braz, Nick de Santis and Joey Saputo himself, make no secret of their Argentinian connections. If the Impact are interested in further developing a pipeline of Argentinian talent, than why not invite a first division Argentinian club to Montréal for a match? This would further expose the Impact as a credible destination to Argentinian players in the market, and become a revenue tool for the Impact as well. After all, Argentinian clubs regularly feature in high calibre international tournaments, from Copa Libertadores to the Club World Cup. Being associated with those clubs, even in a friendly, is brand recognition from which the Impact could benefit.

After all, whether playing Argentinians, Mexicans or Haitians, the mission of l’Impact de Montréal is to give people a good show. What better way to do that than by celebrating our international connections through sport, with continental rivals, old friends and European heavyweights?

The End of the Canadian Talent Drain?

2016-07-22T15:27:04-04:00

Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports

2016 was a watershed moment in Canadian soccer. In the last 6 months, Canadians have been picking up contracts with local clubs at an astounding rate. Additionally, Canadian clubs have been actively seeking Canadian talent. Is this the end of the Canadian talent drain?

Oh, what a difference two years can make. In 2014, Karl Ouimette was released by l'Impact de Montréal. He was a member of the Canadian National Team, and was forced to leave the country he represented for the New York Red Bulls because there was no club here that would -€” or could -€” hire him. By comparison, in 2016, another academy graduate and national team member - Maxim Tissot - was cut from Montréal. Instead of buying a plane ticket, he found himself barely two hours away in Ottawa, with Canada's newest professional club; the Ottawa Fury. He would be starting in their game against Edmonton barely two weeks later, where he can hone his skills and continue to earn substantial minutes in a professional environment. Is the talent drain to other countries finally ending?

Well, maybe. However, the drain of talent to the United States and Europe is not necessarily a bad thing, as long as there is a domestic alternative to foreign competition. For decades, Canada's professional soccer talent looked elsewhere for a job if they wanted to continue plying their trade, due to the absence of domestic alternatives. Most of Canada's national team is still overseas, principally in Europe, where the pay cheques are better and the competition more arduous.

What is happening is that most Canadians are now out of the country by choice. There are now domestic options in an international market competing for Canadian talent and money-€” and they are proving quite successful at luring Canadian players back onto home soil.

By far the most successful at luring, marketing and promoting Canadian talent is the Ottawa Fury. This club is only three years old, and exists in the heart of the national capital, a fluently bilingual city with a centrally located stadium and a proud sporting pedigree. Ottawa has consistently increased their attendance by around 1,000 spectators year-over-year, from barely 4,000 per game in 2014, to more than 6,000 per game in 2016. Each year, Ottawa breaks an attendance record of some kind. Remarkably, this has been done largely on the back of Canadian talent.

Currently, thirteen Canadians are on the roster for the Ottawa Fury, including Julian de Guzman, Maxim Tissot, Kyle Porter and Jamar Dixon, whom all have experience playing with the national team. Throughout the city, it is Canadian players that dominate promotional material, and it is Canadian content that regularly draws fans to the stadium. This is a welcome break from the Canadian tradition of using big name international stars to sell tickets, and hoping the odd Canadian can squeak in some minutes on the pitch here and there.

Ottawa is not alone in their utilization of Canadian content to promote their product. Teams that have traditionally relied on international star power, like the Vancouver Whitecaps have had a watershed year in 2016, signing Marcel de Jong and David Edgar to their roster. The Whitecaps have also picked up Canadian international Fraser Aird on loan from Scotland, complementing an already deep roster of academy products that includes national team regulars like Russell Teibert and Kianz Froese. Vancouver has also experimented with fielding an almost exclusively Canadian roster in the Amway Canadian Championship in 2016. Despite losing the match, it was a sign that coaches are becoming more and more comfortable with the idea of using and preferring Canadian talent.

In what can be construed as growing evidence of the growing popularity of Canadian content among fans, the Ottawa Fury sold more than 9,000 tickets to their home-game against Vancouver in the Amway Canadian Championship in 2016, in a match that featured two rosters dominated by Canadian players. It is so far the highest attended game for the Fury in 2016.

Comparatively, Montréal has always been a relatively good market for Canadian players. Montréal has largely focused on developing and retaining local Québécois talent since 2012, graduating several players to the senior team in short order. However, of those players, three have since been released. Two have been forced seek employment out of the country; Zakaria Messoudi and Karl Ouimette. That being said, Montréal is probably the only MLS team in Canada that has willingly promoted a local player to be the public "face" of the club. Patrice Bernier, the current captain of the Impact and proud Québécois, has spent much of his time with the club not on the pitch, but on television, radio and at public events trying to drum up support for the Impact. Indeed, while Didier Drogba and Ignacio Piatti lead the Impact in goals, Patrice Bernier has become the standard bearer for the Impact at events like the Grand Prix de Montréal.

The end result of this campaign to draft Canadians is two-fold. Firstly, by identifying their brand with local talent, Canadian soccer franchises can sell tickets to fans who want to see our own version of the hometown hero succeed. In linking their brand to a local face from the community, it allows fans to empathize with the players they see as "their own". When you see David Choinière step onto the pitch in le bleu-blanc-noir, you are not just cheering for your team, but an extension of yourself and the city in which you reside. Soccer therefore becomes less a product or commodity to be consumed, and instead manifests itself as an exaggeration of civic pride and a form of cultural expression. Secondly, developing an attachment to a player or team is much easier when you share an easily identifiable trait with that player. Montréal easily tunes in to see Patrice Bernier because it is easy to see ourselves in his persona.

For the five professional teams, at least economically, this is a beneficial relationship. Domestic players often cost less than foreign imports, and have the added bonus of counting as domestic players on team rosters. That allows for more money to be spent on international players of a significantly higher calibre, that can fulfill particular roster needs that Canadians alone cannot occupy. For Canadian players, the fact that there are domestic opportunities ensures that there will always be a cheque waiting back home if you cannot find work overseas.

One additional benefit of the influx of local content into the domestic marketplace is the increasing availability of domestic players that can be called upon by the national team. As of July 2016, the national team could theoretically field an entire roster of players from the five professional clubs in Canada and have each position of the starting eleven be filled with a player that has received significant minutes in a club environment this year. While that would decrease the quality of the roster substantially, the fact that there are so few members of the national team that are currently unattached or without a club is a breakthrough in Canadian soccer that is often unmentioned. Additionally, while many of the players on the national team are currently working outside of Canada, the pendulum appears to be shifting.

This year alone, two regular starters on the national team, Will Johnson and David Edgar, both were offered contracts with Canadian soccer clubs. Both have accepted. Furthermore, it would appear that Canadian clubs are actively seeking Canadian alternatives to fill holes in their roster. Toronto FC has signed Tosaint Ricketts as a forward to help their goal scoring deficit. FC Edmonton has added Nikolas Ledgerwood of the national team to their roster to bolster their shaky defence, and add offensive grit on set-pieces. So far, each appears ready to step-up and meet the specific needs of their clubs. If the active selection of Canadians is indeed true, it would mark a major turning point in Canadian soccer; where Canadians are considered for jobs that are usually dealt to foreign, and often more expensive players with a particular skill set. By extension, it implies that Canadian soccer has advanced enough to be considered competitive with foreign development programs.

What the future has in store for Canadian players is ultimately tied to their individual wants and expectations from a career in the beautiful game. For example, Canadian striker Cyle Larin is reportedly pursuing a career in Portugal with Benfica. All the power to him. He has naturally exceeded the limitations of competition that a club in Canada -€” and the United States -€” can provide. Larin, and those with ambitions greater than what we can currently offer, should be encouraged to go see the world. They can always come home and help us build on what we have created here.

However, for the hundreds of Canadian kids currently playing soccer, hoping simply to one day have a job in Montréal, or Ottawa playing the professional game, we have now created an environment where they have the opportunity to realize their ambitions. With five professional clubs, each operating competitive academies, Canada has finally created an environment where we can watch our own players succeed on our terms.

All we have to do now is buy tickets and show up to watch the fruits of their labour.

3 CANMNT Players Released - Can MLS Benefit?

2016-06-26T15:25:25-04:00

John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports

As of Friday, national team members David Edgar of Birmingham City, David 'Junior' Hoilett of Queen's Park Rangers and Simeon Jackson of Blackburn Rovers were released from their clubs. Can Montréal, or another Canadian team benefit?

According to multiple sources, at least three Canadian Men's National Team players plying their trade in England were released on Friday, as teams there reshuffle their rosters during the off-season. This means that three more Canadian players will now be members of 'Unattached FC', at least for the time being.

Edgar's Heavy Resumé

David Edgar has been playing in England since 2005, beginning his career with Newcastle United. He has made 37 appearances with the Canadian National Team and has 3 goals. Despite being listed as a defender, the 29 year old has often found himself playing as a defensive midfielder, or right-back. With teams all over Europe looking to augment their defense this off-season, it is likely that he will find work overseas. However, Northern Starting XI have reported that he is in training with the Vancouver Whitecaps. Whether or not a return to Canada is in the works for Edgar remains to be seen, as Vancouver recently acquired right-back Fraser Aird on loan from Rangers in Scotland. However, the Canadian international has often proved ineffective in MLS, and they may see Edgar as an improvement.

Jackson's Experienced Pedigree

Simeon Jackson has been playing top-level football since 2010, when he signed a professional contract with Norwich City in England. He is a veteran of both the German and English top flight levels, and has made 47 appearances for Canada, netting 6 goals. The 29 year old forward was born in Jamaica, but qualified to play for Canada due to the citizenship of his family, and his residency here during his youth. Unlike Edgar, Jackson has played outside of England, and will probably want to continue playing in Europe. He is not training with a Canadian club at present. His natural playing position of forward would complicate any transfer back to Canada, as both Toronto FC, L'Impact de Montréal and Vancouver Whitecaps already have three designated players involved in the attack. Jackson would be an expensive back-up striker in an era of tight salary-caps. Of the three clubs however, Montréal may lose both Didier Drogba and Ignacio Piatti at the end of 2016. Perhaps Jackson could become an option as a forward for the Impact then?

Where will Junior Hoilett Go?

Hoilett disputed 112 matches with Queen's Park Rangers, netting only 12 goals in 4 seasons. He has never scored for Canada, despite making 7 appearances. He has played in England since 2007, a nation once he said he one day wished to represent internationally. The 26 year old winger would be in the same boat as Jackson if he sought a contract in Canada. He offers too little for his price tag. Additionally, with Hoilett's previous statements, it is likely that he wants to stay in England and continue in the Premier League.

Best Bang for Our Buck

Of the three CANMNT players released, only David Edgar offers something Montréal really needs - another solid defender. Mount Royal Soccer has long been advocating for a stronger right-back that can get into the attack more frequently, without compromising our defensive structure. David Edgar fits that slot perfectly. This would allow Mauro Biello to switch Ambroise Oyongo to left-back, and effectively compensate the loss of Donny Toia to injury. He could even step into the defensive midfielder role in the absence of Marco Donadel. Furthermore, Edgar is a Canadian, and would not occupy a foreign player slot on the roster.

Sadly, Edgar is training in Vancouver with the Whitecaps. Perhaps our shiny new training facility can lure him to Montréal? Of all the players on the National Team, Edgar would be the best bang for our buck.