CFM: Gaël De Montigny will be at the MLS NEXT All-Star Game

MONTREAL – CF Montreal Academy defender Gaël De Montigny has been invited to the 2023 MLS NEXT All-Star Game to be played at the Glenn Warner Soccer Facility on Wednesday, July 19, in Annapolis, Maryland.

The Montreal defender was selected from a list of 44 rising league stars who will attend this second edition of the MLS NEXT All-Star Game.

Aged 17, De Montigny started in the Pre-Academy in 2016 before joining the Club Academy. Since August 2021, he has been part of the Academy U17 team which plays in the MLS NEXT League. Called on several times to train with the professional group, he is preparing to join the Club’s reserve team this summer.

The young left-hander was recently selected with the Canadian U17 national team with which he qualified for the next World Cup, in Indonesia, from November 10 to December 2, during the Concacaf U17 Championship played last February in Guatemala. .

« Gaël’s nomination for this all-star game is a great accomplishment for him, » said Academy U17 head coach Maxime Leconte. He is a passionate, disciplined, hardworking and attentive player in addition to having technical, physical and tactical qualities. He is on the right path so it is deserved and it rewards his good season. After having been successful with us and the Canadian selection, he will be able to show himself among the best young people of his age during this event and proudly represent the Club which believes in him a lot. »

To be eligible, players must be under the age of 18 (born in 2005 or earlier) and have participated in one of the MLS NEXT domestic events this season, including MLS NEXT Fest, MLS NEXT Flex, the Generation adidas Cup and the MLS NEXT Cup Playoffs and Showcase.

In 2022, CF Montreal Academy reserve team defender Thomas Bouffard was also invited and played in the first half of the game.