MONTREAL — Another key name is moving on from CF Montreal.
Montreal traded Canadian international Kamal Miller and US$1.3 million in general allocation money in 2023 to Inter Miami for midfielder Bryce Duke and winger Ariel Lassiter on Wednesday.
Miller, a defender with 32 senior men's appearances for Canada, played in 60 regular season games for Montreal over three seasons, contributing three goals, six assists and 11 clean sheets.
The 25-year-old from Scarborough, Ont., made Canada's starting XI for all three games at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
Miller arrived in Montreal from Orlando City SC in 2021.
"We wish to thank Kamal for the years spent at CF Montreal. He developed well with us and did good things that helped us achieve good results," said CF Montreal vice-president and chief sporting officer Olivier Renard in a press release. "We wish him the best of luck for the future of his career."
“Kamal is a standout defender who’s just entering his prime," said Miami chief soccer officer Chris Henderson in a press release. "He’s improved every year of his career and become one of the league’s best players at his position."
The trade comes amid Montreal's rough start to the 2023 Major League Soccer campaign after an off-season full of changes. Under new coach Hernan Losada, the club is in last place in the Eastern Conference with three points through six games after consecutive 5-0 and 4-0 losses to Vancouver and New England, respectively.
In 2022, Montreal beat expectations by finishing second in the Eastern Conference regular-season standings with a 20-9-5 record before falling to New York City FC in the conference semifinals.
But the club lost several key names, on the field and off it, in the ensuing off-season.
Midfielders Djordje Mihailovic and Ismael Kone, and defender Alistair Johnston all moved to clubs in Europe. Forward Kei Kamara requested a trade in January and was moved to Chicago a month later.
Head coach Wilfried Nancy, a finalist for MLS coach of the year last season, left Montreal to join the Columbus Crew.
In Duke, Montreal adds another option to a midfield in need of depth after the Mihailovic and Kone transfers and Matko Miljevic's knee surgery.
The 22-year-old Duke had one assist in seven appearances with Miami this season. Last season, he had one goal and seven assists in 28 games.
Lassiter, 28, joins his fourth MLS club after stints in Los Angeles (Galaxy), Houston and Miami. He has yet to find the scoresheet this season after totalling four goals and five assists in 30 appearances for Miami last year.
"We’re very happy with the arrival of these two players," said Renard. “We had been discussing with Miami for a while regarding Bryce. He is an intelligent player on the pitch, with good technique and passing quality. He is a modern player who will bring creativity. Ariel is a versatile, left-footed player, with good speed and goal-scoring ability. He can also play as a striker and will help us offensively."
Montreal (1-5) retains a sell-on fee percentage for Miller in the trade. Miami (2-5) retains a sell-on percentage for both Duke and Lassiter.
Montreal hosts D.C. United (1-4-2) at Saputo Stadium on Saturday. Montreal is 1-0 at home this season.
NOTE: CF Montreal also announced that forward Mason Toye is expected to miss six to eight weeks after undergoing knee surgery Wednesday morning. Toye, 24, was held scoreless in three appearances so far this season.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 12, 2023.
The Canadian Press
