Mid-Week Montreal Impact Fodder: New Training Field and Schallibaum's Contract

Joey Saputo is not as happy or as confident as he was during the mid-season report. But he is neither unhappy nor afraid about the club's recent form. As he shares his thoughts about the club's run for the MLS playoffs, the contract situation of Marco Schallibaum and more.

Located at Olympic Park, next to the main entrance of the Stade Saputo, the new the field will be available for use by the club, mostly notably by the Academy and its soccer schools. It will also be available for the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve  borough, where Stade Saputo is. Another set of good news is that a deal was also signed with the UQAM Citadins, who will use the new pitch for their soccer home games.

We are proud to offer the local community a good quality field, all the while having it available for use of all the club's teams, from the Espoirs in our sport-etudes program all the way to the pros in MLS. This new field is another step in the progression of our club and our sport. -- Joey Saputo

Marco Schallibaum: Ball is in his court

Joey Saputo also confirmed that negotiations are ongoing between the club and the head coach (and his representatives). After confirming in mid-season that a first set of negotiation rounds started, the president/owner is keen to sign the Swiss head coach, even though the club has not officially made the MLS playoffs. When initially introduced as the new head coach, Schallibaum had a clause in his contract stating that there would an automatic extension if the club makes the 2013 MLS playoffs.

As the club is confidenf to make the playoffs (and it should), it is a good sign to see some positive long-term thinking as per keeping some continuity in the head coaching department. But like anything in life, nothing is permanent but Marco Schallibaum has arguably done an excellent job at the helm of les Bleus de Montreal.

The Montreal Impact will be leaving for Houston on Wednesday as it prepares to face the Houston Dynamo for a big Eastern Conference clash on Friday night, at BBVA Compass Stadium.

More from Mount Royal Soccer:

• Reality of Soccer Culture in NHL heavy town and province: TVA Sports, RDS and the Montreal Impact
• Mid-Week Montreal Impact Fodder: New Training Field and Schallibaum's Contract
• ‘The Good, the Bad and the Ugly’: Point Taken
• When Marco Di Vaio does a #DiVaye , Davy Arnaud becomes Neymar and Troy Perkins' Blunder
• Chicago Fire vs Impact de Montreal : Bulletin de Notes du Professeur Brouillard + Analyse