The club will stay near the city of Porto, from February 17 to the 28. During this trip, the Impact will play a total of three exhibition games and an intersquad match, February 19. The Impact will face Fao FC (fourth division), February 21, then AD Fafe (third division), February 26, before ending the trip against FC Vizela (second division), February 27.
“It will be another great experience for us to play high-level games before starting the regular season,” said Impact head coach Nick De Santis, who will count on a 27-player roster, including two guest Brazilian players who will join the team in Portugal. “I think that we are in better shape physically than during the first trip in Italy, so it’s good for the team’s progression. Once again, we will have the chance to see our players as well as local ones in action.”
“I think that we all learned different lessons in Italy, noted veteran Patrick Leduc. “In Portugal, we will have a good comparison point. I’m expecting a different style of play but to be exposed against high-level teams will be positive.”
“We are looking forward to this second trip and we are ready, after two solid weeks of training in Montreal,” said forward Joey Gjertsen. “We will come closer as a team and it will be positive, regardless of the game results."
The Montreal Impact will kick off its 15th season in club history April 12 in Vancouver and will play its first game at Saputo Stadium, May 19, against their Canadian rivals.
IMPACT ROSTER IN PORTUGAL
AGUILAR Luis - D
ARANGO Andres - D
BIELLO Mauro - M
BRAZ Adam - D
BROWN Roberto - F
DI IOIA Massimo - F
DI LORENZO Leonardo - M
GATTI Simon - M
GBEKE Charles - F
GERVAIS Gabriel - D
GJERTSEN Joey - F
JOQUEVIEL Cédric - D
JORDAN Matt - G
LATENDRESSE-LÉVESQUE Julien - G
LEDUC Patrick - M
MATONDO Sita-Taty - F
NUNEZ Christian - M
PALLESCHI Matthew - F
PESOLI Stefano - D
PIZZOLITTO Nevio - D
RIBEIRO Antonio - M
SURPRENANT Alex - D
TESTO David - M
WILLIAMS Chris - M
WEBER Andrew - G
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Source: Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info: 514-328-3668, ext. 27
