Beaulieu-Bourgault takes out the trash

By John F. Molinaro

He's not spectacular to watch and you'd never mistake him for Zinedine Zidane, but every team needs a midfielder like Jonathan Beaulieu-Bourgault.

And the Canadian under-20 team is glad to have him.

Goalkeeper Asmir Begovic and defender David Edgar anchor Canada's back line. Jaime Peters orchestrates the attack with his speed and playmaking ability, and Andrea Lombardo and Will Johnson supply the goals.

Beaulieu-Bourgault, 18, offers Canada grit and steel in midfield.

Midfielder Jonathan Beaulieu-Bourgault does Canada's dirty work. (Shaughn Butts/Canadian Press)

The Montreal native, who made a handful of appearances for Canada's under-17 squad before graduating to the under-20 team last year, plays the game with a level of fearlessness and intensity that is awe-inspiring.

Not surprisingly, he wears his heart on his sleeve, and he can't wait to take to the field for this summer's FIFA U-20 World Cup.

"To play for your country, it's always special. In your heart, when you go on the pitch and when you wear the white and red jersey, it's fantastic," Beaulieu-Bourgault told CBCSports.ca.

Beaulieu-Bourgault was a member of the Canadian team that participated at the 2005 World Youth Championship. He didn't see any action in the Netherlands, but the industrious midfielder, renowned for his tough tackling and physical play, has since earned a starting role in coach Dale Mitchell's team.

Beaulieu-Bourgault also offers Mitchell versatility, as he is equally adept playing as a defender.

"Sometimes I play a bit more defensively, trying to win the ball and battle in midfield and work more with the defender. That's kind of my job with the team," the midfielder explained.

"I don't play with much finesse. I like to play simple soccer, one-two-three touch soccer … Run on the field and go into the challenge, be a bit rough," Beaulieu-Bourgault added.

It was his commitment to playing "simple soccer" that led to a historic win for Canada a year ago.

Beaulieu-Bourgault made his debut for the under-20 team in an exhibition game against Brazil last May in Edmonton. With the score tied 1-1, the midfielder made a key defensive play that launched a Canadian attack which ended with Will Johnson scoring the game-winning goal in the 65th minute.

It was the first time any Canadian team had ever won a game at any level against the South American powerhouse.

"I think everyone was having a bit of trouble believing that we had just beaten Brazil, I know that's all I was thinking," Beaulieu-Bourgault told the Montreal Gazette shortly after the historic victory.

"No one can ever take that away from us, that on that particular day, we beat Brazil."

Got attention early

Beaulieu-Bourgault was a highly touted prospect while playing with the Lakers Lac St-Louis in the Quebec minor league soccer system when he caught the attention of FC St. Pauli.

While still 17, he signed a three-year deal with the German third division side, but missed most of the 2005-06 season with a broken leg. The Canadian eventually overcame the injury setback and helped the Hamburg-based St. Pauli win promotion to the German second division this past year.

He's only been in Germany for 18 months, but Beaulieu-Bourgault believes his brief time playing in the lower leagues of German soccer has helped him improve as a player and mature as a person.

"I think it's helped a lot … It was hard to leave parents, friends and everybody behind and being in an environment you're not used to. It was a sacrifice, but looking back I'm happy with my decision," the Canadian told CBCSports.ca.

Beaulieu-Bourgault will try to help Canada progress far at the U-20 World Cup, but the midfielder also views the tournament as an opportunity to help grow the game in his homeland.

"I think it's great for us, for the people in Canada and the young players who want to someday wear the Canadian jersey," Beaulieu-Bourgault said.

"So many younger people will have a look at [the U-20 World Cup] and might decide not to play hockey, but instead take up soccer."

As for his role for the Canadian team this summer, the combative midfielder is perfectly comfortable doing Canada's dirty work in midfield.

"I don't like to be the flashy guy. For sure I like to score goals … but I think my purpose is to defend. For sure, I try to help go forward and try to score, but I like to work [in midfield] and do my job," Beaulieu-Bourgault said.