Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty CF Montreal Defender: Montreal’s defense never saw this CF rookie coming — and it’s hilarious!
You’ve seen plenty of young talents break into MLS, but honestly, not many have carved out a journey quite like Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty. He came up through Toronto FC’s academy and made headlines by signing with the first team at just 15.
Now he’s with CF Montreal as a defender, trying to build something special with his versatility, calmness, and a growing tactical sense. His story has already taken him from Brampton, Ontario, to international duty, and now he’s fighting for a spot in Montreal’s back line.
You can’t help but appreciate a player who adapts, and Marshall-Rutty has done that in several roles. After his move from Toronto FC to CF Montreal in August 2024, he jumped into a team looking for stability in MLS play.
In 2025, a loan to Charlotte FC gave him a shot at more minutes and tougher opponents—a challenge that could really shape his next steps.
Marshall-Rutty’s rise hasn’t been about hype. He’s grown steadily. His early years, national team moments, and games against top MLS sides have laid the groundwork for a career that might just surprise a few people.
He’s the kind of player whose journey you follow not just for what he’s done, but for where he might go next.
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Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty’s Role at CF Montreal
You saw this young guy show up in Montreal with a lot of eyes on him after that high-profile trade from Toronto FC. His time at Stade Saputo brought some chances and a few bumps—position switches, limited minutes, and a loan move to push his development.
He’s had to adjust to a new system in MLS, and it hasn’t always been smooth.
Position and Playing Style
You probably know Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty as a flexible wide player, just as comfortable at wingback as he is at fullback. CF Montréal mostly used him on the right, asking him to stretch the field and whip in service from up high.
He’s got real pace, which helps him recover on defense, and his technical skills make him a good fit for quick passing. He’s been asked to overlap, cross early, and press high.
Laurent Courtois gave him freedom to get forward. But when Marco Donadel stepped in as interim coach, his job became more defensive, focusing on defensive shape. That shift meant fewer attacking moments but made him more disciplined in his positioning.
Key Performances in Montreal
You didn’t get a big sample size—just six league games in 2025 before he went to Charlotte FC. But in those short spells, he flashed some of the creativity that made him a hot prospect.
One of his better games came in a 1–0 win over New England. He completed 85% of his passes and set up two chances from the right. On defense, he made three tackles and two interceptions.
2025 CF Montréal Stats
| Competition | Matches | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Key Passes | Tackles Won |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLS | 6 | 228 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 7 |
The stats might look modest, but you can see the foundation for a more complete player if he gets regular minutes.
Contract Details and Extension
You probably remember the August 2024 trade—CF Montréal picked up Marshall-Rutty from Toronto FC for $850,000 in guaranteed General Allocation Money, with possible add-ons taking it up to $1.3 million. Toronto kept a sell-on percentage too.
His contract runs through the 2025 season, with club options after that. The April 2025 loan to Charlotte FC brought in $100,000 in GAM for Montréal, giving them some flexibility while they held onto his MLS rights.
What happens next in Montreal really depends on how he does in Charlotte. If he impresses, maybe there’s an extension. If not, Montréal might look to move him. The next few months feel pretty important for everyone involved.
Transfer from Toronto FC to CF Montreal
Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty, a Canadian youth international and former Toronto FC academy product, made a high-profile switch to CF Montréal in 2024. The deal involved a hefty sum of General Allocation Money, showing how much both clubs believed in his potential as a defender and wingback.
Details of the Trade
You saw Toronto FC send Marshall-Rutty to their rivals in August 2024. The 20-year-old, who came up through TFC’s youth ranks and turned pro in 2020, had become one of the league’s most talked-about young players.
CF Montréal grabbed his rights for a package built around guaranteed and conditional GAM. The move also included a sell-on clause, so Toronto gets a cut if Montréal sells him abroad.
Marshall-Rutty went to St. Joan of Arc Catholic Secondary School before joining Toronto’s academy. He filled an immediate need for Montréal’s wingback depth. His ability to play both ways made him a good fit for Laurent Courtois’ approach.
General Allocation Money and Financial Aspects
Toronto FC got $850,000 in guaranteed GAM from CF Montréal—$450,000 for 2024 and $400,000 for 2025. The deal included up to $450,000 in conditional GAM based on things like appearances, team results, and maybe even playoff qualification.
GAM Breakdown Table
| Year | Guaranteed GAM | Conditional GAM (Max) | Total Potential |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $450,000 | Up to $225,000 | $675,000 |
| 2025 | $400,000 | Up to $225,000 | $625,000 |
| Total | $850,000 | Up to $450,000 | $1,300,000 |
This setup let Toronto lock in a solid return while keeping some upside if Marshall-Rutty shines in Montréal. For Montréal, using GAM meant they could add a young Canadian without busting the salary budget.
Toronto FC’s Perspective
If you follow Toronto FC, you probably saw this trade as a way to balance short-term needs with the bigger picture. The club had a rough 2024, and GM Jason Hernandez wanted more flexibility.
By moving Marshall-Rutty, Toronto picked up a chunk of GAM to chase upgrades across the roster. The sell-on clause means they still benefit if he gets a big move overseas.
Losing a homegrown player stings, but Toronto’s depth at wingback and the financial boost made it easier to accept. The deal also eased some salary cap pressure, letting the club reshape things for 2025.
You can check out Toronto FC’s official announcement for more on the transaction.
Loan Move to Charlotte FC
Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty left CF Montréal for Charlotte FC in April 2025 after seeing limited minutes early in the season. The move gives him a real shot at steady starts in MLS, while Charlotte gets some much-needed defensive depth.
Loan Agreement Terms
Charlotte FC brought in Marshall-Rutty on loan from CF Montréal for the rest of the 2025 MLS season. You’ll see him battle for time at right-back and wingback, spots where he’s already shown he can handle himself.
The loan started on April 23, 2025, and runs until the regular season ends. Marshall-Rutty stays under contract with CF Montréal through 2027, with an option for 2028, so this is just a loan—not a permanent move.
At 20, the Brampton native already has 88 MLS games under his belt. He signed his first pro deal with Toronto FC at 15, then joined CF Montréal last year. This Charlotte loan came after just six games with Montréal in 2025, so it’s clear he needed more regular playing time.
Impact at Charlotte FC
You can expect Charlotte FC to use Marshall-Rutty on both sides of the ball. His speed and willingness to overlap make him a good fit for a system that wants width from the back.
Charlotte had some early-season injuries and had to rotate the squad, so they needed a steady right-sided defender. Marshall-Rutty brings MLS experience, which helps avoid the adjustment period that international signings often need.
His first games with Charlotte have shown solid defensive positioning and quick ball recovery. He hasn’t made the scoresheet yet, but his job is more about providing service and stability than scoring goals. He’s been a steadying influence in a back line that’s seen plenty of changes.
Early Charlotte FC Stats (2025)
| Matches Played | Minutes | Assists | Yellow Cards | Positions Played |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 310 | 0 | 1 | RB, RWB |
Financial Details of the Loan
Charlotte FC sent CF Montréal $100,000 in General Allocation Money (GAM) for the 2025 season as part of the loan, according to the club announcement. GAM is MLS’s internal budget tool, giving teams a way to manage salary cap space.
For Montréal, the move helps offset what they paid Toronto FC—$850,000 in guaranteed GAM to get Marshall-Rutty in 2024, with more possible if he hits certain marks.
From Charlotte’s side, $100,000 in GAM is a pretty reasonable price for a 20-year-old with over 100 pro appearances. The short-term loan also means less risk if things don’t work out, while still giving them a look at whether he fits long-term.
Early Career and Development
You can trace his path through early exposure to tough competition, steady technical growth, and chances that came earlier than most kids get. His rise comes from structured academy work, early MLS breakthroughs, and valuable international youth experience.
Toronto FC Academy Journey
You probably first heard Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty’s name when he joined the Toronto FC Academy as a kid after starting out with Brampton East SC. His development there focused on speed, dribbling, and learning to make quick decisions in tight spots.
At 15, he signed a Homegrown Player contract with Toronto FC, making him the youngest in club history to do so. That move showed the club really believed he was ready for the pro level.
The academy gave him top coaching, sports science support, and tough games against other elite youth teams. Marshall-Rutty’s progress was clear in the U-15 and U-17 squads, where he often played against older kids.
MLS Debut and Achievements
You watch him make his MLS debut in October 2020. He becomes the youngest player to appear in a league match for Toronto FC.
He comes on as a substitute, and right away, you notice his composure—honestly, it’s not what you’d expect from someone his age.
Over the next few seasons, his minutes go up. You see him play both as a winger and as a wingback.
Before he moves to CF Montréal in 2024, he racks up 88 MLS appearances and passes 100 professional matches in total.
Career MLS Stats (Toronto FC & CF Montréal)
| Season | Club | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Toronto FC | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021 | Toronto FC | 11 | 0 | 1 |
| 2022 | Toronto FC | 25 | 0 | 2 |
| 2023 | Toronto FC | 28 | 1 | 3 |
| 2024 | Toronto/CF Montréal | 23 | 1 | 2 |
In 2022, he lands an MLS 22 Under 22 nomination. That’s not something you see every day—it’s reserved for the league’s most exciting young talent.
Youth International Experience
You trace his first national team experience back to 2019 with the Canada U-15 squad. He earns five caps, and his pace plus ball control really stand out in those matches.
By January 2021, at just 16, he gets called up to the Canadian senior men’s national team. He actually breaks Alphonso Davies’ age record by five days—no small feat.
He doesn’t get his senior debut right away, but that call-up puts him on the map for future international tournaments.
That early exposure to the national setup gives you a sense of how he adjusts to different tactics and higher competition.
His versatility jumps out too—coaches at club and country level clearly value it.
Notable Matches and Opponents
You’ve seen Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty go up against all kinds of teams in Major League Soccer. Each game throws something different at him—sometimes it’s frantic wing play, other times it’s tight defensive lines. He always seems to find a way to adapt.
Games Against LA Galaxy
When he faces LA Galaxy, you can’t help but notice the ground he covers on the right side. The Galaxy love to attack wide, so he gets pulled into a lot of one-on-one duels.
In a 2025 regular season match, he logs 8 recoveries and finishes with 85% passing accuracy. That effort helps shut down Galaxy’s service into the box.
His positioning keeps him in front of attackers like Douglas Costa, cutting down early crosses.
| Match Date | Minutes Played | Tackles Won | Interceptions | Passing Accuracy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 3, 2025 | 90 | 3 | 2 | 85% |
He starts quick counters after regaining possession. Against LA, his two-touch bursts open up space for Charlotte’s front line, even if it doesn’t turn into a goal every time.
Clashes with D.C. United
When Charlotte FC plays D.C. United, the tempo swings from slow possession to sudden attacks. In that 2-1 win over D.C., Marshall-Rutty’s defensive awareness helps keep the lead.
He tracks runners especially well when D.C. tries to attack the half-spaces. His 4 clearances and 2 blocked crosses break up their flow.
| Match Date | Minutes Played | Clearances | Blocked Crosses | Duels Won |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 27, 2025 | 90 | 4 | 2 | 6 |
When you play D.C., you need everyone to stay disciplined in shape. Marshall-Rutty keeps tight with the back line and stops late runs from midfielders before they become real threats.
Encounters with Minnesota United
Minnesota United’s direct style means you’re always bracing for aerial duels and second balls. In a 2025 fixture, Marshall-Rutty wins 5 of 7 duels and makes 3 key interceptions to halt attacks early.
Their wingers love to cut inside, so positioning is everything. He angles his body to force them wide, making shots tougher.
| Match Date | Minutes Played | Duels Won | Interceptions | Fouls Committed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 15, 2025 | 90 | 5 | 3 | 1 |
He helps out on offense too, linking up with midfielders to bypass Minnesota’s press. His quick passes keep Charlotte in control under pressure.
Recognition and Future Prospects
You’ve watched Jahkeele Marshall-Rutty’s role change fast—from that record-setting debut at Toronto FC to a loan stint with Charlotte FC. His ability to play multiple positions and gather experience so young puts him in a great spot for both club and national team chances.
Canadian National Team Call-Up
If you follow Canadian soccer, you probably know Marshall-Rutty’s been on the senior national team radar for a while. He gets youth-level invites and even trains with the senior squad before he turns 18, which is pretty wild.
His speed, defensive hustle, and skill at both full-back and wing make him a flexible pick for national team coaches. That kind of versatility is gold in tournaments where you can’t bring everyone you want.
He hasn’t locked down a regular spot in competitive matches for Canada yet. Still, with over 100 professional appearances before age 21, his case just keeps getting stronger.
If he keeps getting minutes with Charlotte FC, he might just earn an official selection for World Cup qualifying or a big CONCACAF event.
Notable International Involvement
| Year | Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Senior Training Camp | Invited as a teenager |
| 2021-2023 | U20 Canada | Multiple appearances |
Potential Career Trajectory
You can imagine a few different directions for Marshall-Rutty’s career. If he keeps up his form in MLS, he might return to CF Montréal as a starter—or maybe he’ll catch the eye of some European clubs that actually value young, flexible defenders.
Right now, his loan to Charlotte FC gives him the chance to get regular minutes. He couldn’t really find that rhythm in Montréal.
Those games matter a lot for building consistency. They also help him get better at making decisions when the heat’s on.
He’s only 20, so there’s plenty of time for him to polish his technical skills. He could work on his crossing and passing, too.
If he proves he can handle faster play and tougher competition, maybe a move overseas is on the table.
He skipped college to go pro early, which honestly gave him a head start compared to most players his age.
