Jalen Neal’s move to CF Montréal signals a bold new era for the MLS contender | OneFootball

CF Montréal shook the market, securing 21-year-old defender Jalen Neal from LA Galaxy. The Canadian club, by making a $650,000 deal in General Allocation Money across 2025 and 2026 and an international roster slot for 2025, made it clear they are seriously investing in the future. But is Neal just a gamble, or could he already be seen as a transformative piece for Montréal's defensive system?

A young defender with maturity and potential

Jalen Neal is way past being a prospect anymore, having turned out officially on 46 occasions for LA Galaxy since 2021. Indeed, he has the experience in droves and aided his team in securing the 2024 MLS Cup. He has been recognized as one of the best young defenders in the league, after placing ninth in the annual 22 Under 22 ranking. Six caps for the US Men's National Team give further weight to the confidence in him on the international stage.

Neal's impact immediate for CF Montréal

Neal's arrival in CF Montréal will balance out the team's backline alongside Joel Waterman, Fernando Álvarez, and George Campbell. Neal has the pace, versatility, and skillset that fit right into the mold of the modern-type defender the team has been on the lookout for. That simply means with Neal, the coach not only has a very reliable defensive presence but also one which can give width and start plays from the backline.

Vison de LA Galaxy et ce que signifie le depart de Neal: Leaving LA Galaxy, especially after winning the MLS Cup, was not an easy decision. Neal was a cornerstone in the club's development model; he came from the academy into the first team on merit. However, his sale reflects Galaxy's philosophy of developing talent and selling it on the market while renewing its foundation. LA Galaxy's general manager, Will Kuntz, highlighted Neal's talent in addition to his character and off-field impact, praising the contributions he had made to the team and the greater Los Angeles community.

His development from the Academy to Galaxy II, on to making his debut for the US Men's National Team and being on the pitch for the final whistle of an MLS Cup final speaks volumes about the potential of Galaxy's professional development pathway. We are proud beyond words of all that Jalen has accomplished with Galaxy and Los Angeles and hope he enjoys nothing but success as he continues to take the next steps in what has already been an extraordinary career.

The importance of Neal's deal with CF Montréal

With this signing, Neal was signed to a deal through 2027 with an option for 2028 and was positioned as a cornerstone in CF Montréal's project. This kind of deal, thanks to the U-22 Initiative, allows clubs to keep optimizing the budget while developing young talent without overburdening the salary cap. Neal is not just a short-term addition; he is a long-term investment, one that could bring potential on-field value and maybe someday in a transfer market scenario.