For that game, Impact head coach Nick De Santis’ expects to field a team comprised almost exclusively of players presently on trial with the team. These players are trying to earn an invitation to the training camp, which will start on April 3.
“We want to take advantage of those two games against the NTC to see how these players react in game situations,” said De Santis. “There are still some spots available for the camp so it’s up to them to show what they can do. They need to prove they deserve to play at this level.”
Another match-up with the National Training Centre will take place on Friday, March 24 at 9:30 pm, at the Catalogna Soccerplexe. Montreal’s NTC develops Quebec-based soccer players who are part of the Canadian national program.
The Impact has already started training on an informal basis, at a rate of at least three practices a week. Several players from the 2005 edition of the Montreal club have been regularly taking part, including goalkeepers Greg Sutton and Gerry Argento, defenders Adam Braz, Nevio Pizzolitto, Jason DiTullio and David Fronimadis, midfielders ZĂ© Roberto, Patrick Leduc and Antonio Ribeiro, as well as forwards Mauro Biello, Darko Kolic and Rachid Madkour. Midfielder Kirk Wilson and Brazilian forward Mauricio Salles, two of the Impact’s new acquisitions, are already in town and have been training with their new teammates.
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.
Impact 2006 season-ticket packages are still on sale. For further information, contact the Impact ticketing office at 514-328-3668 or ticketing@impactmontreal.com.
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Source: Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info: 514-328-3668 (ext. 27)
