BACKGROUND:
- This is the Montreal Impact’s first exhibition game since the opening of training camp April 1.
- Three pre-season games are scheduled during training camp. The first one is tomorrow against the Lac St-Louis Lakers, a team that plays in the Quebec Elite Soccer League senior first division. Former Impact player John Limniatis is the technical director of the Lac St-Louis Regional Soccer Association.
- The Impact will play two more pre-season games: April 13 against the McGill Redmen and April 17 in Trois- Rivières against the Select.
- The Impact will kick off its 2005 season and defend its First Division United Soccer Leagues championship title with a double-header in Puerto Rico, against the Islanders, April 29 and May 1.
NOTES:
- 21 players are under contract with the Montreal Impact for the 2005 season
- Two free agents that played with the Impact last year, golkeeper Gerry Argento and defender Adrian Cann, and five invited players, forwards Matt Budreski, Wyn Belotte and Nicolas Lesage, midfielder Alpha Bah and defender Aziz Ahmamad, are still trying to get a spot with the team.
- Impact midfielder ZĂ© Roberto is not at training camp since he is currently playing indoor with the Philadelphia Kixx. Forward Joel Bailey, who is currently in negotiation with the Impact, is with the Baltimore Blast.
- Defender Jason Di Tullio will not be part of the lineup since he is still recovering from an injury to his right knee.
COMMENTS:
Montreal Impact head coach Nick De Santis: “These games are a good way to prepare ourselves for the upcoming season. The LSEQ soccer is the highest level of competition in Quebec. The three pre-season games will help us find our rhythm and implement what we do during our training sessions. Also, it will give us a chance to observe the new players in action, while they become familiar with our style of play.”
LAST GAME: The Impact won 4-0 against a selection of the National Training Centre on March 19, in a scrimmage that took place before the opening of training camp. Impact defenders Adam Braz and David Fronimadis, and midfielder Patrick Leduc were the only players under contract to play in that game.
NEXT GAME:
Wednesday, April 13 vs McGill Redmen, at 10 am, at Catalogna Soccerplexe.
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* DIRECTIONS TO THE CATALOGNA SOCCERPLEXE: Highway 20 heading towards Dorval, Exit 63 Ville St-Pierre/Mercier. Continue on the service road and turn left on 1st Avenue. After about 1,000 feet, the entrance to Soccerplexe will be on your right.
Source: Patrick Vallée
Info: 514-328-3668 (ext. 27)
