Di Buono, who was the Impact’s first pick and 11th overall, is originally from the Lac St-Louis region. The 5’9 athlete played with John-Abbott College before joining ranks with Fairleigh Dickinson University in 2001, and Robert Morris University in 2002. In 2004, he finished the season third overall in points within the Northeastern Conference, tallying 17 points in 17 games. He was named on the first all-star conference team and on the third Mid-Atlantic region team All-America.
The Impact’s second choice, and 23rd overall, was Bernard Ouassa, a 22-year-old midfielder also from the Lac St-Louis region, who played with the Canadian national team in 2001 at the Under-20 World championship, in Argentina. The same year, he made his debut with St-John’s University, near New York, before joining the West Virginia University Mountaineers from 2002 to 2004.
“The Impact’s mission is to recruit as many Quebec players as possible so we are pleased with the choices we’ve made”, said Montreal Impact head coach Nick DeSantis. “These two players always performed very well, so we hope they can do the same at the next level.”
The Impact has until February 1, 2005 to sign the players to a USL First Division contract. If no agreement is reached, the players will become free agents.
In 2004, Montreal had selected defender Adrian Cann from Louisville University and striker Olivier Occean, from Vermont University. Goalkeeper Andrew Olivieri was a 2003 first round pick, as was midfielder Sandro Grande in 1998.
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Source : Patrick Vallée
Info : 514-328-3668 (ext. 27)
