Impact midfielder ready for second MLS season
While the Impact was selecting Amar Sejdic at the 2019 MLS SuperDraft, the team’s 2018 SuperDraft pick, Ken Krolicki, selected in the third round just over a year ago by Rémi Garde and his personnel, was back in Montreal after an offseason spent halfway across the globe.
“I went back to Japan,” said Ken Krolicki, speaking to Impact Media at Centre Nutrilait on Tuesday morning. “I spent a couple of weeks there and saw some family. I came back to Michigan after and we celebrated Christmas. I just got back to Montreal last week.”
The young midfielder, a product of the Michigan State Spartans before joining the Bleu-blanc-noir, is set to kick off his second MLS season. His first one wasn’t too shabby either; the third-round pick managed to impress the coaching staff and break into the line-up in the beginning of the season, playing over 1,000 minutes for the Bleu-blanc-noir.
“Last year was good. A lot of people say that, but I personally have higher expectations to be honest,” explained Krolicki. “I know it sounds like I’m maybe overestimating myself to some people, but I know I have a lot more to give and more potential to show. If I can perform better in the final third especially, I could be the game changer.”
Different type of camp
Just like Ken, other players have been trickling into Montreal these past few weeks, some for the first time, all readying themselves for what promises to be a strenuous preseason training camp.
Things are different for Ken this time around; if his future with the first team was still unclear this time last year entering the camp, Krolicki enters this year’s preseason with more insurance, the option on his contract having been exercised by the club in November.
“I’m more confident and more comfortable making myself heard with my teammates, because I know them pretty well now,” added Krolicki. “We’ve built the type of relationship where when you have something to say, you say it, and that’s with the coaches as well. When I’m in these types of situations, I tend to perform better. I think that’s going to be a major plus for me.”
Last year, it was during this month that Krolicki worked his way to earning a contract with the club, officialised just a few days before the start of the season. Although that motivating factor won’t be there this year, he knows he still needs to earn his place in Rémi Garde’s starting 11 in 2019.
“He’s always pushed me obviously. He’s helped me develop as a player and even as a person,” explained Krolicki. “He’s always pushing me to be better every day. I know we have a good relationship, but that being said, I know nothing is guaranteed going into this season. I still need to perform during preseason and earn my spot.”
The team will be departing for training camp in Bradenton, Florida, on Monday, January 21. You can find more details regarding the Bleu-blanc-noir’s entire camp here.
