Antoniuk, who was the Portland Timbers’ leading scorer in 2005, had become a free agent and signed a two-year deal with the Whitecaps on February 1st.
“He is a power forward with good size and who’s strong in the penalty area,” said Impact head coach Nick De Santis. “He has a big presence in front of the net that will give us the opportunity to play different offensive styles. He also allows us to have a younger team. It was a difficult decision to take because Eduardo was very appreciated and was a valuable asset to the team, but we also have to think about the club’s future.”
Antoniuk, 25, is 6’3” and 195 pounds. He spent the last three seasons with the Portland Timbers. He led the team in scoring last year with 28 points in 2,021 minutes of play, earning him a spot on the All-League Second Team. Antoniuk was a member of the USL First Division Team of the Week five times in 2005 and was named Player of the Week for Week 21 after scoring four goals in wins over Atlanta and Richmond.
He also scored the game-winning goal in a 1-0 Portland win over the Impact, last August 10, at Claude-Robillard Sports Complex.
Antoniuk is expected in Montreal this weekend, in time for the start of the Impact’s training camp, April 3.
With his acquisition, the Impact now has four players who finished among the league’s top 10 last year in goals and points. The others are Mauro Biello, Kirk Wilson and Mauricio Salles.
Sebrango, who will turn 33 on April 14, will have played a total of four seasons with Montreal. He had his best year with the Impact in 2002, when he scored 18 goals and tallied 36 points, two club records. He was, however, hampered by injuries in each of the last three seasons. This will be his second stint with Vancouver. In 1999, he finished second in team and league scoring with 18 goals and 10 assists.
The Impact will kick off the 2006 USL D1 season on Sunday, April 23 in Florida, against the expansion-team Miami F.C. The Montreal club will play the 13th home opener of its history at Claude-Robillard Sports Complex on Sunday, May 21, against the Minnesota Thunder.
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Source: Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info: 514-328-3668 (ext. 27)
