MONTREAL – Four years ago, Wandrille Lefèvre was a midfield prospect at the Montreal Impact Academy. He hadn’t even played with the Impact first team in NASL yet.
How things change. Last week, Lefèvre played 180 minutes in central defense next to Laurent Ciman, who went to a World Cup with Belgium.
“Life goes fast. Football goes fast,” Lefèvre told reporters on Tuesday. “Three, four years later, here we are, with an MLS that grows year after year.”
Lefèvre’s career has flourished since those Academy days: he made 21 league appearances in his first two professional seasons, moving from midfield into defense. This year, though, he hasn’t done much in this ever-growing MLS. Before last week, he’d made only one start, in a 2-2 draw against Orlando City on March 28.
But with three games in eight days last week, Montreal head coach Frank Klopas had to rotate his squad. He gave the nod to Lefèvre ahead of Bakary Soumare last Wednesday against Vancouver.
Lefèvre’s performance in the 2-1 win forced Klopas’ hand.
“I wanted not to change too many things [in the following game],” Klopas said. “With one circumstance, I was forced to because of injury. Baky’s fine. He understands the situation, and for him, it’s all about the team doing well.”
Three days later, Lefèvre played again in Columbus. Once more, he was superb. Montreal won 2-1.
“I never doubted myself,” Lefèvre said. “I know what I can do. Then, it’s always about proving it again, because, when you don’t play for some time, you’re being forgotten somewhat by the general public, the media, the whole club environment. It was important to show that I’m still here and that I can be relied upon.”
Lefèvre took upon crucial defensive tasks. Against the Whitecaps, Ambroise Oyongo was a bold right back for Montreal – Lefèvre covered his forays forward. In Columbus, Oyongo was replaced by Nigel Reo-Coker, a midfielder by trade. Former midfielder Lefèvre knew where Reo-Coker came from and adjusted his game accordingly, helping his teammate out as needed.
Head coach Klopas praised Lefèvre’s work rate and perseverance on and off the field. Even after two months without a game, Lefèvre seized his opportunity when it came.
“The confidence that we’ve shown to the players, they give it back to the staff and to the team,” Klopas said. “That’s what it’s all about. You keep everyone – not on their toes, but everyone understands that we have depth on the team, and there's no better way of proving it than when the guys step on the field and they do well, they perform well and the team wins.”
From the first minute against Vancouver, Lefèvre struck an understanding with Ciman. The two were on the same page, covering each other and communicating easily. Both native French speakers, Ciman and Lefèvre get along well in everyday life. They can allow themselves to be brutally honest with each other in-game.
“On the field, he fully trusts me and lets me be,” Lefèvre said. “I like it when the person next to me isn’t always monitoring what I’m doing, when they trust my work beyond doubt. It allows me to play my game, and I’m not trying to do too much or too little because I'm feeling that person not trusting me. Here, it’s full trust. I’m free. And vice versa, obviously – it’s easier for me to trust him.”
Lefèvre inspires trust. Well-spoken, intelligent and mature beyond his 25 years of age, he is one of those elegant center backs whose every move looks thought through, even when under pressure.
When he was a young pro, Lefèvre thought of himself as a No. 3 center back. With what he’s shown next to Soumare or Ciman, not anymore.
“Now, I know that I’m an alternative No. 2,” Lefèvre said. “With the group that we have, I reckon that I can be on the field any time and it won’t make any difference. I think that my coaches, my managers, my teammates see me this way as well. Then, it’s about simply getting a chance and seizing it. I’ve seized it – for now. It's up to me not to let it go.”
