TORONTO – There's been something different about the Toronto FC attack the past three weeks, resulting in a run of four straight wins.
Yes, Sebastian Giovinco has emphatically returned to his scoring ways with a pair of hat tricks during that stretch. But the catalytic event came a week earlier, when Jay Chapman was brought on against Columbus in an attacking position.
Previously, through some 20 appearances, Chapman had been fielded deeper in the midfield, where he struggled to impress himself upon the match. But moved closer to goal, he shined — and he hasn't looked back since, improving with every outing.
Signed in January 2015 to a homegrown contract, the 22-year old midfielder appears to be the solution to a lingering question for TFC: who would provide the link between Michael Bradley, Will Johnson, and Benoit Cheyrou at the base of the midfield and Giovinco and Jozy Altidore in the attack?
MLSsoccer.com caught up with Chapman last Friday for a wide-ranging conversation to find out more about him.
Preferred position
The closer to goal, the more impact Chapman can have.
“I like playing in the 10, but I can play anywhere in the midfield,” Chapman said. “Preferably more attacking because I like to get on the ball, make things happen, connect the play, get assists.”
With two assists, both coming in the last six matches, it's no wonder attacking midfield is his favorite position. He slipped a lovely through-ball for Jordan Hamilton to salvage a draw in Columbus, while his one-two with Giovinco at the top of the box, once more against Crew SC, was a thing of beauty.
He is still eagerly awaiting his first goal after being denied on a spectacular diving header against Real Salt Lake.
“It's kind of funny,” admitted Chapman of the wait. “I've been joking around with my teammates, 'I'm this close.' Once it happens, it'll be a huge weight lifted off my shoulders and hopefully I can score some more from there. I've come really close. The first one [will] be a huge relief and a very special moment. Hopefully, I can score it at BMO [Field],”
His dad was a pro golfer
When not pulling the strings for TFC, Chapman enjoys “spending time with my girlfriend. I have a dog, so going to parks. I'm a big movie fan, so going to watch movies. Favorite all time was probably ... Anchorman.”
He also enjoys a round of golf in his time off, remarking, “my dad, [Steven Chapman], was a professional golfer. He played on the Asian Tour for a while; a little bit in a couple of PGA Championships.”
Feeling that Beckham love
An avid soccer watcher, “I always have it on, whether it's Europe, MLS, anytime,” said Chapman, a Manchester United supporter who has an eclectic mix of heroes.
“[My] favorite player all-time was David Beckham,” offered Chapman, adding, “I like [Andres] Iniesta. I wouldn't say I model my game around him, but I'm a passer, I like to play, so in a way I try to model it like him, but it's tough.”
Starting young in Brampton
Chapman “started playing at four years old, growing up playing around [Toronto]. I started playing rep [with Brampton East SC], then I got into the TFC Academy in my later teen years, and then I went to college. Before TFCA, I was at Ajax Strikers. Now it's an academy, but before it was just a club.”
His dream of going pro began to be formulated a decade later.
“When I was 14 or 15, I started getting into the [Canadian] national team program – the U-17s,” he recalled. “I had always wanted to be a pro soccer player, but once I started getting into bigger games, more meaningful and harder teams, that's when I knew I could grow and really make a career out of it. Around 17 was when I [realized] there was a good chance I could be a pro.”
And he is yet another member of the Brampton class revitalizing Canadian soccer, which includes the likes of Cyle Larin, Jonathan Osorio, Junior Hoilett, and Doneil Henry, as well as Kadeisha Buchanan and Ashley Lawrence, stars of the Canadian women's national team.
“It's a pretty cool thing,” Chapman said. “There's a lot culture, people from different backgrounds. It's a very close community, a lot of sports there. Brampton East SC, where I grew up playing, there was a lot of talent, even from a young age. There's a lot of heart in the community, which pushes athletes forward.”
A Spartan beginning
From Toronto, Chapman attended Michigan State University, where he majored in communications.
“It was fantastic,” he said. “College soccer is really pivotal, in terms of developing players for MLS. It was a great three years there [under head coach] Damon Rensing.”
Interestingly enough, his midfield partner with the Spartans would join MLS just a few weeks after Chapman did, selected fourth overall in the 2015 MLS SuperDraft.
“Fatai Alashe was one of my best friends there, we played in the middle together,” Chapman said. “It's cool to see him doing so well. It was a good team to be a part of because it helped me mature a lot, grow as a person.”
Proof positive of the value of structure
Chapman rose up the ranks such as they exist in North America, progressing from youth soccer to an academy, and on to college. And after signing to MLS, he developed his game in USL with Toronto FC II.
“It's huge,” Chapman said of the process. “When I was on the academy, I was with the TFC reserves a little bit, playing with some first-team guys. Looking at how I was then compared to how I am now, I'm miles ahead. It's huge to get some reps in USL, pro games under your belt, get a feel for the game [at] the pro environment; playing in meaningful games.”
“Every game in college is a game that can make or break your season,” he added. “Learning how to win and be consistent in high environments and tough matches, that was really pivotal.”
Homegrown for his hometown
The most recent of the club's 11 homegrown signings, Chapman exudes the delight that comes from representing one's hometown.
“It's fantastic,” he smiled. “Every time I step on the pitch in the stadium, you can hear fans in the crowd that you grew up with, [that] you haven't seen in 10 years, at the games watching you play, which is really cool.”
There is a pride that he feels; one that is returned in kind.
“The fans are always great,” he said. “Being in Canada, they have a prideful way about them when young players that are Canadian make it through and play for the hometown team. It's easy to see with Jonathan Osorio. He's a crowd favorite, a Canadian boy. If I can be anywhere near that, that would be fantastic.”
All-Star festivities fun
Chapman recently took part in his second Chipotle MLS Homegrown Game during the All-Star festivities, an experience he summed up in two words: “Pure fun.”
“All the best young guys around the league, everyone coming for a collective goal,” he said. “We want to win and put on a show for the fans, but there's no stress, so you go out there with some good friends and being coached by Landon Donovan ... who doesn't want to be coached by him? So it's an awesome experience — really fun to be a part of.”
A future in Europe?
With a British father and Canadian mother, Chapman has kept an eye on the English game.
“I've been to England twice,” he said. “Before I signed [with TFC] I went over on some trials at Stoke City FC.”
And the British have kept an eye on him, linking him to clubs such as Sunderland, Swansea City, Aston Villa, and Celtic FC in the past.
For now, Chapman is more than satisfied where he is, but what the future holds is always a mystery.
“MLS is a great league and it's only going to get better,” he said. “I love [playing] in MLS, but I'd also like to play at the very highest level. If I could go play in England, play in Germany, I'd love to play in the top leagues in Europe, so if eventually I could take my game there and test myself, I'd love to do that.”
“It would have to be the right time,” he continued. “Right now, I'm focusing on getting consistent performances and a lot of games in so that I can prepare myself.”
All-Canadian aspirations
Frazzled Canadian fans may shudder at the realization that Chapman could qualify for another nation, but rest assured, he is committed to Canada.
“No, no,” waived away Chapman when asked of any split allegiances. “I love Canada, growing up playing with the U-17s and the U-23s. If England called me that would be very humbling, but I love playing for Canada.”
With a pair of crucial World Cup qualifiers in September, and an exciting crop of youngsters working into the side, Chapman, who is yet to make his full national-team debut, aspires to be a part of a revolution in Canadian soccer.
“Playing with the U-23s, I got a little taste of what it's like to be on the national team,” he said. “If the full men's team gives me a chance, I'll take full opportunity of that. I would love to play and contribute. Us young guys, we're very hungry for our national team to do well and qualify for a World Cup, as the whole country is. If I could be a part of that, I'd love to.”
