MONTREAL – The Montreal Impact announced on Thursday that it has come to terms on a deal with American defender Heath Pearce. As per MLS policy, details of the contract were not disclosed.
Heath Pearce
Position: D
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 175 lbs
Birth date: August 13, 1984 – Modesto, California
Place of residence: Modesto, California
Citizenship: USA
Last club: New York Red Bulls (MLS)
Acquired: March 6, 2014
Pearce, 29, has played five seasons in MLS, totaling 106 regular season games, including 100 starts and 9,060 minutes. He’s scored two goals and amassed 12 assists over that span.
“Having played over 100 games in this league, his experience and soccer savvy will bring a lot to the team,” said Impact Sporting Director Nick De Santis. “He is a natural left back, who will give us more depth on defence and who can contribute to the offence as well. Heath is highly motivated to get back to the level that saw him on the national team at one point in his career.”
Named to the MLS All-Star Team on three occasions, the American defender also took part in four Lamar Hunt US Open Cup games.
Pearce was most recently a member of the New York Red Bulls in 2012 and 2013, amassing two goals and two assists in 32 games played, including 29 starts, helping the team win the Supporters Cup last season.
Pearce was acquired by the Red Bulls from Chivas USA in a deal for forward Juan Agudelo, while also having spent time with FC Dallas over his career. Prior to joining MLS, he played in Europe for FC Nordsjealland, in the Danish first division, and with Hansa Rostock, in both the first and second divisions in Germany.
At the international level, Pearce played 35 games for the U.S. national team, most notably during the 2009 Confederations Cup and 2009 Gold Cup. He was also on the 30-man preliminary roster for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. He also represented his country at the U20 and U17 levels.
