Olivier Tremblay covers the Impact for MLSsoccer.com
MONTREAL – Even on Karl W. Ouimette’s first trip with his national team, there was no unsettling him.
Eighty-five minutes into Canada’s 1-0 defeat at Slovenia on Tuesday, the technical staff waved the 21-year-old over. The instructions: “Shield the back four. You can do it.”
For his first cap, the Montreal Impact defender would play as a No. 6. The second-year business student could have been going over this semester’s lessons ahead of the finals at that very moment, but instead, he was going to learn a position as a sub, on the fly.
“It’s not a distraction, though,” Ouimette told MLSsoccer.com by phone on Thursday, some 24 hours after landing home. “Being versatile is always going to help you. As a matter of fact, that’s what’s helped me log minutes this year with the Impact. In any case, when I’m on the field, I’m happy.”
Ouimette, the Impact’s first-ever MLS Homegrown Player, had already displayed positional versatility on October 19, when he started on the left of defense for the first time – and coolly won the game with his first goal late on – having already played center and right back since turning pro in the summer of 2012. Somehow, on Tuesday, it almost looked like Ouimette was embracing the defensive midfielder role as the next logical step.
Asked about a potential gig at d-mid with Montreal, a skeptical Ouimette rather took the opportunity to applaud club teammate Patrice Bernier’s skills at that position, ruling out playing there regularly – lending a hand from time to time is another matter, though.
“If I’m asked to, I’m there in a heartbeat,” Ouimette said.
The same answer would likely apply to a second invitation to join Canada. Thrilled with his first experience under head coach Benito Floro, Ouimette was most grateful for his seamless integration to the group. Bonds organically developed with the other defender from Québec on the roster, former Houston Dynamo man André Hainault, who Ouimette credited for a great deal of advice.
Ouimette also commended Nana Attakora, Doneil Henry and Ashtone Morgan, part of the newer generation of defenders, who bridged the Toronto-Montreal divide and made him feel at home. Presumably with the 2015 Gold Cup cycle in mind, Ouimette felt positive about his age group’s performance during this camp.
As new head coach Floro gets acquainted with his player pool, the young ones just have to hope they’ll get to work together some more.
“They told me ‘See you next time,’” Ouimette said. “That’s a good sign.”
