When the Colorado Rapids selected Moïse Bombito for third overall in the Major League Soccer (MLS) SuperDraft last December, few Quebecers knew they had their province’s next potential star on their feet. Oddly enough, it suited the 22-year-old.
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“I was ‘off the radar’. Nobody knew who I was, nobody knew what I was. For me it was to my advantage. Whether I succeeded or not, no one expected it. But I succeeded, I got everyone’s eyes on me. People were like, ‘Wow, where is he from?
Bombito, he’s from Montreal. He played for CS Saint-Laurent and CS Saint-Hubert. He made his mark in the NCAA, making an unlikely move from point forward to center back.
Early in his career, he quickly understood that opportunities to get into an academy were rather scarce, particularly in Belle province where CF Montreal’s are a must to rely on. Since the quotas in the youth teams fill up quickly, many are called up but few are elected.
“In Montreal we are maybe 2,500 good players who love football. I tried when I was 13 but I couldn’t. I didn’t stop here, I looked elsewhere for opportunities,” he said.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY COLORADO RAPIDS
The American dream
In 2020, Bombito was already too old for an academy and the Canadian Premier League was still in its infancy. On the other side of the border he found his account. The NCAA gave it a thumbs up, but there was still an issue.
“Since I was 19-20 looking for a D1 club, I had to have good grades at CEGEP, but that wasn’t my case. I had to go to junior college at Iowa Western Community College. I spent a year and a half there.”
He made progress both academically and athletically. Best of both worlds as he offered himself a way out should football fail. In a year he will have completed his finance studies.
After just four months at the University of New Hampshire, he landed a SuperDraft invite and the rest is history.
PHOTO PROVIDED BY COLORADO RAPIDS
“The Worst Position”
At Saint-Laurent, Bombito was a forward, but as he climbed the ranks, the players around him became bigger. After the growth spurt failed to materialize, the now 1.80 meter tall full-back was moved to defence, then to the centre.
CS Saint-Hubert’s Montreal coach François Bourget owes this latest job change. He had just arrived with this team and his profile immediately interested him.
“He said to himself, ‘Oh yeah, you play a little more defensive position? Why don’t you try central?’ I said to him, ‘No, that’s the worst position on the pitch… Why are you doing this to me? ‘” Bombito said.
“I had gained more weight, I was taller, faster, that was something that could help me. Being more technical it could unlock games. A defender who knows how to play with the ball excels on the pitch.
Finally, Bombito stood out as a centre-back.
Straight into MLS?
The Rapids narrowly missed out on a playoff spot last season. The Quebecer comes as a reinforcement and he believes in his chances of claiming a position this year. Sending him to MLS NEXT Pro has not yet been mentioned.
“We had a preparatory camp in Mexico and I think I’ve proved that I belong and can keep up with the other centre-backs. I think I got everyone on board,” Bombito said of his winter prep.
He’s also benefiting from the lessons of coach Robin Fraser, himself a former centre-back of great talent.
However, Quebecers who want to see Bombito in person will have to be patient as there is no scheduled clash between CF Montreal and the Rapids this season.