Apr 06 Press Conference Today Announces Additions to the Impact

With the Impact's regular season fast approaching, a press conference was held to announce 4 new additions to the team : 3 new players and La Cage Aux Sports. Yours truly was in attendance and all involved were very excited and optimistic about the new collaborations.

La Cage aux Sports and the Montreal Impact announced a new long term partnership which will see the chain introduce various initiatives that will support both the Impact as well as the local development of local soccer via the chain's network as well as at the newly built Saputo Stadium.

Both Jean Bédard, president of La Cage aux Sports and Joey Saputo, president of the impact and Saputo Stadium were on hand for the occasion. Said Mr Saputo:  "We are very happy about this long-term agreement with La Cage aux Sports. Just as our club, La Cage aux Sports is a dynamic company that is in constant progress and that is a leader in its field in Quebec." Saputo also added that this would not only benefit the new Stadium, but also would help the team in its mission to develop soccer throughout the province.

This partnership sees La Cage being responsible for all the food concessions at the new stadium as well as the creation of the "Cage FC Terrasse" which will allow the spectators to watch the game in a lively atmosphere. Other promotional tie-ins are the launching of an "FC Cage" card offered for team funding as well as a Cage-Montreal Impact clothing line that will be available online at www.cage.ca

Coincidently, the Impact took this time to announce the addition of 3 new players. Midfielder Pato Aguilera, defender Stefano Pesoli and Forward Dwight Barnett were introduced to the Montreal press and head coach Nick De Santis was on hand to answer any questions concerning these players.

"We are very happy to have come to terms with these three players" said the coach. "We are very satisfied with the team we have. With the qualifying games for the CONCACAF Champions League, we will have a long season, so it's important to have depth. We are expecting a healthy competition for starting positions.

Asked to comment on the new acquisitions, coach De Santis said, "Pato is a creative player who can distribute the ball well and who will help us in the midfield. He also brings experience after having played many games in our league" ( with the Rochester Rhinos). "We really like what we've seen from Stefano (Pesoli) in the last three months" added De Santis. Pesoli has been trying out with the Impact since the pre season camp in Italy in January. " We quickly noticed that he had received excellent training with AS Roma, notably by his intelligent play. He brings the team insurance at the central defender position." On Dwight Barnett, the 26 year old American native of Jamaica, De Santis said, "Dwight will bring a new dimension to our offence with his power and speed. He's the kind of player who can create problems for the opponent's defence.

The Impact are definitely looking forward to their home opener at the new Saputo Stadium where a packed house of 13,000 plus is expected. Season tickets are still available by calling 514-328-3668 or at www.impactmontreal.com

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