Sometimes a change of scenery is all it takes to bring out the very best in someone, and for them to reach their potential. That’s what happened with Daniel Lovitz.
The 27-year-old native of Pennsylvania has flourished the past two seasons in Montreal, establishing himself as the Impact’s left fullback of choice under two coaches. In 2017, he won the team’s defensive player of the year award, an honour he’s likely to pick up again this season. He’s already been named to the MLS team of the week on two occasions, underlining his value to Montreal’s back line.
But it wasn’t that long ago that Lovitz was the odd man out at Toronto FC. Playing time was an issue for Lovitz during his three-year stint with the Reds. Selected 24th overall in the 2014 MLS SuperDraft, the Elon University product made 18 league appearances (five as a starter) during his rookie year, but played in only 23 games over the course of the next two seasons.
Lovitz was originally deployed as a winger and outside midfielder by TFC. A change in tactics by coach Greg Vanney from a diamond-shaped 4-4-2 formation to a 3-5-3 setup in the 2016 season meant they didn’t have a position for Lovitz, so they tried him at left fullback. That came with a new set of problems for Lovitz, as he was suddenly competing for starts with Justin Morrow, one of the best left fullbacks in MLS.
Injury problems also limited Lovitz’s opportunities in Toronto, and he fell victim to a numbers game. With Morrow established as the club’s starting left fullback, TFC decided it could keep either Lovitz or Canadian Ashtone Morgan, but not both. They chose Morgan, and declined its contract option on Lovitz shortly after the 2016 MLS Cup final.
Suddenly out of work, Lovitz went on trial with Vancouver during the off-season, but things didn’t pan out with the Whitecaps. Then he was invited to Montreal’s pre-season training camp in Florida and he ended up signing with the Impact just days before the start of the 2017 MLS campaign. Opportunities were scarce for Lovitz at first in Montreal, but by the middle of the year he became the first-choice option at left fullback for former coach Mauro Biello. The rest, as they say, is history.
“[Toronto] gave me enough of an opportunity, but it just felt like I was missing out on what I needed when things started to go well, which was a lack of continuity for myself. That’s the way it went. Everybody has their story. There are plenty of guys who have been more talented than me who didn’t get a second shot. I did and I’m just trying to make the most of it,” Lovitz told Sportsnet ahead of the Impact’s home game vs. TFC on Sunday.
“I feel like a got a fresh start here in Montreal, a new lease on life.”
Are there any hard feelings towards Toronto? Some, Lovitz admitted.
“I’d be lying if I said I didn’t leave there a little bit bitter. It felt like getting fired from a job, you know? … You’re kind of walking around the streets looking for a job, looking for a club to take you in,” Lovitz said.
“I wasn’t a priority for [TFC]; I understand that. It wasn’t a great situation to come to Montreal to play backup in a position I was very unfamiliar with. But my chance came when I least expected it, and I was ready. It’s been awesome since then.”
Lovitz’s tenure in Toronto took a toll on him mentally. He began to question his ability after being let go, and he sought advice from family, close friends, coaches and players who had been through similar experiences. Talking about it with people he trusted proved to be therapeutic exercise, and he regained his confidence.
“I wouldn’t dress for some games with TFC, and it’s such an odd feeling after training all week. Too many times of that deteriorates your mentality, and it’s hard to escape that. Putting in three years of that was difficult. But [since leaving], I’ve matured as a person. I learned from some of the mistakes I made while I was in Toronto, and more than anything built on the confidence I knew I had. I’m glad that I came out on the other side, and I’m happy to be where I’m at now,” Lovitz offered.
TFC is happy for him too, with Vanney offering kinds words and praise for his former player.
“Danny has always been a capable player. That’s why we had him here and kept him for a while. It’s good to see him emerging as a guy who is a viable, every day starter … It’s good to see him succeed. I like when guys are able to move beyond here and be successful,” Vanney said.
Lovitz has been a key figure for the Impact under French coach Remi Garde, who replaced Biello after the 2017 campaign. Lovitz has made 30 league appearances (28 as a starter) this season and has tallied a career-high five assists. He even scored his first MLS goal when he bagged an injury-time winner against Chicago on Aug. 18.
“I feel like when I got here last year my career just started, and that’s continued this year. No offence or no disrespect to my time in Toronto, but when you’re not playing regularly you’re really not developing, and for three years that wasn’t the best to not have a position nailed down. To be able to execute it on a weekly basis, it’s been awesome,” Lovitz stated.
Lovitz credits Garde for challenging him and pushing him to be better, and admits that he had to first win over the former Olympique Lyon coach.
“He didn’t necessarily like what he saw [in me] and he wanted to try out some other guys to feature in that left side. But I think he recognized I was willing to willing to work, willing to do things to raise my level. He been brutally honest with me about things I should do better, and he’s also offered me praise on things he wants me to keep doing. It’s been a really beneficial relationship for me. It’s been an honour to work with him,” Lovitz said.
Lovitz’s consistent play hasn’t gone unnoticed by his teammates, especially midfielder Samuel Piette, who feels his good friend is slowing emerging as one of the best left fullbacks in MLS.
“He’s been important to our success, and always puts the team first,” Piette told Sportsnet.
D.C. United’s 1-0 home win over Toronto on Wednesday allowed them to leapfrog Montreal for the sixth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. D.C has a four-point cushion on the Impact, which means it likely has to win both of its remaining matches — vs. Toronto and away to New England next weekend — in order to qualify for the post-season. A loss on Sunday at home to TFC would officially eliminate Montreal from playoff contention.
“We have two games left in the regular season, and their must-win games now — no ifs, ands or buts. In a way, it’s great to kind of have eliminated any kind ambiguity as we approach these games,” Lovitz offered.
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