January was a month full of surprises for Eric Alexander.
Fresh off a successful 2014 Major League Soccer season that saw New York reach the playoffs for a fifth straight time, the Red Bulls decided to shake things up in a big way when they fired coach Mike Petke.
It was a decision that was met by a huge backlash from New York fans—Petke was considered one of the brightest, young coaches in MLS and he guided the Red Bulls to a first-place finish in 2013.
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Alexander never saw it coming. Nor did he anticipate what would come next—him being sent to the Montreal Impact later in the month as part of a blockbuster trade that saw Brazilian Felipe come to New York.
Alexander, 26, had failed to really settle during his first three seasons in MLS after being drafted by FC Dallas in 2010. He never quite caught on with the Texas club (28 starts over two years) before being traded in 2011 to the Portland Timbers (17 starts).
Another trade, this time to New York in 2013, proved to be a turning point in Alexander’s MLS career. Petke showed great faith in the midfielder, and Alexander thrived in New York. He made 30 starts and appeared in all 34 games during each of the 2013 and 2014 seasons, adding six goals and 11 assists during Petke’s tenure.
Alexander credits Petke for giving him a chance to prove himself.
“He was very important to my development. Mike was one of the guys who really believed in me when I was at the club. He kept me in the line-up when a lot of people didn’t want me in there. It was crucial that he showed that kind of faith in me. I was happy to serve and play under him,” Alexander told Sportsnet.
He later added: “I think everybody was surprised (Petke was fired). He had two very successful seasons. A lot of people are disappointed. I never saw it coming.”
Alexander’s solid play in New York was not lost on Montreal, who was looking to bolster its midfield after a disastrous 2014 MLS campaign. Alexander was one of the centrepieces of the trade with the Red Bulls.
“I was really surprised at first, but I was also excited at the same time because I know from playing against Montreal in the past and the calibre of players that they have and who they signed this winter that we can be a very good side,” Alexander said.
Playing alongside players such as Thierry Henry and Tim Cahill were the highlights of Alexander’s time in New York.
“For me, I played a lot of games, and I got to play with some very good players. We won the Supporters’ Shield (in 2013) and almost made it to the final last year, so overall it was very positive experience for me; a good growing experience for me. I’m excited to build off of it,” Alexander offered.
Moving from a playoff contender to the last-place team in MLS last season hasn’t fazed Alexander, who has a pair of caps with the U.S. national team to his credit.
“I was in a similar situation after my rookie year when I got traded from Dallas. We were in the finals in 2010 and then I got sent to Portland who entered the league the next year. I know what the challenge is like, so I’m looking forward to take it head don again and help Montreal turns it round,” Alexander said.
The Impact open the 2015 MLS regular season on the road vs D.C. United on March 7. Before that Montreal will take on Mexican side Pachuca in the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions League. The two teams square off in Mexico next Tuesday, with the return leg scheduled for March 3 in Montreal.
Alexander, though, won’t feature in the two-game series—he’s cup tied after already appearing for New York earlier in this season’s tournament.
“I would love to plat. I played in Mexico a few times and it’s a great environment. Obviously, it’s a big game for us and nobody wants to sit out for that. It’s a bummer,” Alexander admitted.
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