Jalen Neal embracing opportunity he's getting with CF Montréal

Jalen Neal knows his career can take a leap forward playing for CF Montréal this season, but he will have to step out of his comfort zone.

Only 21, Neal already has a wealth of experience in the world of soccer. He helped the United States win the CONCACAF Under-20 Championship in 2022, and was part of the Los Angeles Galaxy’s MLS Cup triumph two months ago.

However, the young defender didn’t have the opportunity to really stand on his own two feet. Originally from California, Neal has always had his family and friends close by to help him in his development. That mandate now belongs to the bleu-blanc-noir and its head coach, Laurent Courtois.

It can sometimes be a frightening and difficult transition, but Neal feels that a larger role in Montreal will help with his goal of eventually making the jump to Europe.

“It was hard to leave my home, family and friends, but I knew I had to do it to elevate my career. This is just the first step in that process,” Neal said Tuesday in a videoconference from Florida.

“Montreal is a team that likes to develop young players. They want winning profiles and they like it when players give their all for the team. I’m all for that. That’s the ultimate goal of playing in Europe and Montreal can help me get there.”

During a media availability a few weeks ago, CF Montréal president and CEO Gabriel Gervais was excited about Neal’s arrival in the organization.

The club acquired him from the Galaxy in return for US$450,000 in general allowance money (GAM) in 2025, $200,000 in GAM in 2026 and an international player spot in 2025.

Immediately, Gervais described Neal as a modern, big-bodied defender who’s quick and possesses great technical skills.

“He’s amazingly mature and calm. He’s very sure of himself, without being excessive. It’s always surprising for me to see such mature youngsters. Now he’s going to be away from the family cocoon and discover life in Montreal, at minus 20 degrees Celsius,” Courtois joked.

The head coach didn’t hesitate to ask his defenders to get involved in the offensive construction of the game last year. But with this year’s training camp only a week old, he was reluctant to speculate on the use of Neal and other newcomers such as forward Giacomo Vrioni.

Courtois did, however, stress that his new defender fits a precise profile that could help the team this season.

“We determine player profiles based on their adaptability and versatility. With the qualities we believe are relevant in certain areas of the game. We believe that Jalen has the ability to play in several positions and in several formations. We think he’s one of the most interesting young central defenders in the country,” he insisted.

For Neal, the most important thing is to play.

The American acted as a starter with the Galaxy for most of the summer of 2024, until he was relegated to the bench following a 4-2 loss to the Portland Timbers on Sept. 18. He then played just 13 minutes in his team’s final nine games, including five in the playoffs.

“As a young player, the most important thing is to play and get minutes. That’s how you get to the next level. Every player wants to play the big games, but that’s the way it is in professional sports. Whoever helps you win at the time and whoever plays in your lineup. I told my head coach that I was ready to accept my role to help the team win. And that’s what we did. I wouldn’t have asked any other way,” Neal said.

Nonetheless, the situation gave him the experience of a long playoff run and the elation of winning a prestigious trophy. And that’s just what the defender wants to bring to the young CF Montréal dressing room.

“I’m young, but I bring championship experience. With the Galaxy, there were veterans and well-known players. I can bring the experience and wisdom I got from those guys. I’m just here to help the club,” Neal said.

His arrival means that one more player will be fighting for a limited number of defensive positions. But as many players have explained over the past two seasons, competition takes the intensity up a notch and can only be beneficial.

“It’s always good to have internal competition. It was a key element for us last season. A club always wants to have that. It’s good to have good players who push others on the pitch,” said defender Fernando Alvarez.

The bleu-blanc-noir will play its first preparatory match against FC Cincinnati on Friday in Clearwater, Fla. It will then return to Montreal for training until Feb. 4, before heading back to Florida.