Joey Saputo not looking to make big changes: Praises Character of team, Leadership of Marco Schallibaum and Focuses on Fans

Joey Saputo re-iterated the importance of conveying a positive message to the players and staff, even during a difficult period for the Montreal Impact. Meeting the media on a hot Wednesday afternoon, the president explained the reason of postponing the press conference, that was supposed to be on Monday.

Wanting to send a positive message to the club, Joey Saputo did not feel to need to panic while still keeping the main objective clear: " Make the playoffs". Talking about the values of the club, the president focuses on having the same philosophy and the importance of the human factor.

Focus on Fans : Members

The team has been founded on the values of loyalty and determination, and we want our supporters to participate regularly and actively in certain club decisions through recommendations --

Joey Saputo

Talking about uniting all soccer fans in one coherent voice is important to the club's success, as per Joey Saputo. Adding to that, transparency is key in listening to the fans and try to follow as much recommendations as possible. It's almost sounded that the Impact were taking the Socios route, as the club will organize an annual meeting with members.

Joey Saputo also confirmed that the club and Marco Schallibaum are in negotiation to extend the coach's current contract by 2 years.

Nick De Santis: Transfer Market, Loan deals and more

The club also confirmed loan deals for Sinisa Ubiparipovic and Calum Mallace. Both midfielders will join the ranks of Minnesota United FC of the NASL. Both players will get important minutes as the Impact midfield was clogged since the start of the season.

Minnesota United FC Press Release

We are excited to bring in two unique talents from Major League Soccer. We aspire to play at the highest level of soccer in North America, which requires us to bring in quality soccer players and look at all leagues to try and improve our club to compete with the best teams in the NASL. --

Minnesota United FC President, Nick Rogers

Loaning two midfielders does not mean that the club is looking to fill the midfield position. But Sporting Director, Nick de Santis, did not exclude the option to strengthen the squad for the now and the future.

We are looking at every position; wherever we can get help -- Nick De Santis

De Santis did insist though that the recent performances and losses cannot be all attributed to the defensive line. He pointed out at the defensive responsibilities of each player on the field and not just the back four. Knowing De Santis, expect some moves during the transfer market to bolster the squad.

The club also announced that the following players are still under contract with the club for the 2014 season:

Goalkeepers: Troy Perkins and Evan Bush

Defenders: Jeb Brovsky, Hassoun Camara and Matteo Ferrari

Midfielders: Patrice Bernier, Felipe Martins , Justin Mapp, Sanna Nyassi, Blake Smith and Collen Warner

Forwards:Andrew Wenger.

Players signed from the Academy are still under contract with the club including : goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau, defenders Wandrille Lefèvre, Maxim Tissot and Karl W. Ouimette, as well as midfielder Zakaria Messoudi.

Richard Legendre: Changes at Stade Saputo, Season Tickets and Summer Dollars

Impact V-P, Richard Legendre, wants more ''members'' to be part of the family. But he admits that the notion of price is important as he reminds us of the major price changes in 2013. One segment that the club needs to get better with is the corporate market.

Soccer fans are here. There is no soccer fan in Montreal that does not know that we are in a new league ..[...]. But companies are not yet at the rendez-vous [as per season tickets] -- Richard Legendre

When asked about the summer dollar competition vis a vis the Montreal Alouettes, Legendre is confident being at par if not higher in popularity. All 3 professional teams can co-exist in Montreal as per the V-P, each with '' its own clientele''.

The club's objective for 2014 is to have 10,000 season ticket holders. Recent announcements are good incentives to start renewing early. The Impact is pushing hard to monetize on the consumer part of its relations with fans, while still offering value.

All of details can be found here that also includes a 20% discount if season ticket holders renew their seats before August 20th for the 2014 season.

The club is also considering to install heating elements under the pitch of Stade Saputo to be able to play during the colder months of Fall and Spring.

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