“We are truly happy to know that we will be able to count on Masahiro in 2006,” said Impact head coach Nick De Santis. “He is an offensive midfielder who brought a whole new dimension to the club with his speed and his exceptional technical strengths. He is a disciplined player with a good attitude and he is very much appreciated by his teammates in the dressing room. The fans love him as well. The year of experience he has gained playing soccer in North America in 2005 should be of tremendous benefit to him for this upcoming season.”
De Santis will therefore be able to count on the two players who were named the Impact’s Co-Newcomers of the Year last season. Fukasawa was picked for the award along with Lars Lyssand, a midfielder and defender who will be into the second year of a two-year contract.
Last season, Fukasawa was the only Impact player, along with Mauro Biello, to play all of the team’s 28 regular-season games. He was also one of nine Montreal players to earn 15 starts or more, with 16. He scored one goal and added an assist in 1,708 minutes of play.
Before joining the Impact last year, Fukasawa played nine seasons in the Japanese Professional Soccer Association (J-League). He has also played as a pro in Argentina.
Note that in last December the Impact also announced the signings of midfielder Kirk Wilson, who will play a first season in Montreal in 2006, while captain Mauro Biello and goalkeeper Greg Sutton signed new contracts with the team.
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 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)
