May 21 Quebec Native Rocco Placentino Back With The Impact

Hoping to add to their recent offensive woes, the Montreal Impact announced today that they have come to terms with former Impact player and RDP native Rocco Placentino. Placentino who played with the Impact in 2001-2002 left for Italy where he has played for the last 5 years, fine tuning his skills. Coinciding with this addition to the team, the Impact also announced that they have released midfielder Matthew Palleschi. Read on for the full story and official Impact release.

MONTREAL – A few days prior to its first Canadian Champions League match, Tuesday, against the Toronto FC, the Montreal Impact announced that midfielder from Rivières-des-Prairies Rocco Placentino has come to terms with the Impact for two seasons plus an option year, pending the league’s approval. Placentino, 26, played the 2001 and 2002 seasons with the Impact, before playing the next five years in Italy. This left-footed midfielder, who also plays forward, tallied one goal and four assists in 30 games and 805 minutes of play with the Impact. He then played for six Italian clubs, in second, third and fourth division, from 2003 and 2007, scoring 32 goals. Placentino played for Avelino, Teramo, Cavese, Gualdo, Messese and Gubbio, in 2007.

“We knew he had offensive qualities when he was here and he continues to be a fast player with good technique and a sharp shot,” said Impact head coach Nick De Santis. “The difference is that he has acquired greater experience. It shows in how he moves on the field, as well as in his attitude and professionalism. We hope that he will help us offensively.”

“It’s good to be back home, said Placentino. “I hope I can help out and contribute to the Impact’s success. It’s a great organization, a good team, and in addition, we have a beautiful stadium. In Italy, I learned a lot tactically and I’ve become more disciplined. Being away for five years, I realized that we are fortunate to play soccer and we need to take advantage of that.”

Placentino will train with the Impact today at 10:30 am on the Saputo Stadium training field.

The Impact also announced that midfielder Matthew Palleschi has been released. In 2007, with the Impact, Palleschi scored three goals and tallied seven points in 26 games and 1315 minutes of play.

Tags: back \ impact \ native \ placentino \ quebec \ rocco \ the \ with