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Even with the Montreal Impact now playing out the string and looking ahead to next year, competition for minutes in the club’s last four matches is certain to be fierce, as players aim to build cases that they can be part of the solution for a reconstituted squad next year.
As one of the young Impact Academy graduates on the Montreal roster, midfielder Jérémy Gagnon-Laparé is among a now decently sized group of homegrown players who are all looking to prove that they are ready to make the jump to the next level and establish themselves as regular contributors with the Impact senior team.
With next season on the minds of so many, the 19 year old Canadian International was quick to admit that he is aiming to keep things simple and focused solely on the present.
“It’s a really big challenge because you have to make your place in a senior team,” Gagnon-Laparé told RedNation. “You face a lot of good players that are a bit more established, so I have to fight even harder than the other guys. It’s a big challenge but I’ve been doing well so far.”
“I have to keep going with the good performances,” he added. “I think that’s the key. If you keep delivering solid performances, you’ll be good.”
While the Sherbrooke, Quebec native is working to make an impression on the Impact brass, it has not hurt his confidence and development that he seems to have already made a positive impression on Canadian Men’s National Team Head Coach Benito Floro.
The Spaniard has called up the young midfielder consistently since Gagnon-Laparé made his debut for Canada in two friendlies against Mauritania on September 8th and September 10th, 2013 and has also called him up for Canada’s next match against a powerhouse Colombia side on October 14th.
Ultimately, with the experience he has been gaining at the International level, the Impact Academy graduate very much appears to be a young player who could play an important role for the Canadian U23 National Team in the next round of Olympic Qualifying.
According to Gagnon-Laparé, his call-ups by Floro have been one part of a whirlwind year in which he has been trying to take advantage of every opportunity to learn and improve his game.
“It’s a different experience playing with the national team,” Gagnon-Laparé explained. “To get a chance to represent your country, it’s always something really great. You try to make the best of both situations. It’s always different when you go with the national team because you have less time to build something, so you have to be more intense in every training session.”
“For me as a young guy, I take all those opportunities to learn,” he continued. “It’s different when you go with the national team as there are guys like Dwayne De Rosario and other great players as well. They’re giving you some different point of views and you have to take what you think is best for you.”
Of course, the on the rise midfielder was also quick to admit that he has not lacked experienced mentors on the Impact squad, with Quebec native and 50 times capped Canadian International midfielder Patrice Bernier in particular taking him under his wing.
“Patrice is a really good guy on and off the field,” Gagnon-Laparé explained. “Every time he can give me something to learn, he’s always going to tell me. I’m really happy to be able to play with a guy like him.”
“Obviously, even if we don’t play the same position, guys like Matteo Ferrari and Marco Di Vaio are also always there to give you some advice,” he continued. “So it’s a good chance for me to be part of this team.”
Add in the things that he can learn from a coach of the pedigree of Floro and it is clear that Gagnon-Laparé has been thrust into the type of learning environment that not many teenage players have access to.
“It’s something great for a young player because you know the national team coach is always going to be there to help you with whatever is happening with your club,” Gagnon-Laparé stated. “Benito’s a really good coach and he’s given me some good education as well.”
“I’m trying to make the most of it and to take everything in, so I can move up with both the club and the national team.”
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