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Preseason activites have officially opened as the Montreal Impact started the 2014 training camp at Marie-Victorin Sports Complex. The weather could not be worse with a -15C combined with winds and now but good thing that the facilities were indoor.
It was a chance for fans, media and the staff to have a look at the 28 players that will be competing for roster spots. It is the beginning of Frank Klopas' assessment cycle from out figuring formations, style of play , chemistry and much much more.
Montreal Impact Training Schedule
Wk1
Date | Time | Event | Location |
Monday Jan 27 | 10:30 am | Training | Marie-Victorin Sports Complex |
Tuesday Jan 28 | 10:30 am | Training | Marie-Victorin Sports Complex |
Wednesday Jan 29 | 10:30 am | Training | Marie-Victorin Sports Complex |
Thursday Jan 30 | 10:30 am | Training | Marie-Victorin Sports Complex |
Friday Jan 31 | 10:30 am | Training | Marie-Victorin Sports Complex |
Trialist, Newcomers & Andres Romero
No new players have joined the club as training camp opened up. Though one assistant coach seems to be ''trying it'' out with the club.
Tout l'etat-major de #IMFC present pour le debut du camp d'entrainement + presence surprise de Nikos Kounenakis. #NouvelAdoint?
— Olivier Brett (@Olivier_Brett) 27 Janvier 2014
Nikos Kounenakis was part of the training camp coaching staff but the club has confirmed that nothing has been signed. It seems that both parties are trying each other to see if there is a fit. We will keep you posted as we get more news.
As per Andres Romero, the Argentinean midfielder/forward is not part of the official training camp roster. But Frank Klopas confirmed that the player should be joining the club later as '' administrative '' procedures are sorted out.
Club officials also confirmed that the contract between the club and the player has not been finalized yet.
Preseason Roster
Goalkeepers: Evan Bush , Troy Perkins, Maxime Crepeau
Defenders: Jeb Brovsky, Hassoun Camara, Matteo Ferrari, Wandrille Lefevre,Amine Meftouh, Eric Miller, Karl W Ouimette, Nelson Rivas, Maxim Tissot.
Midfielders: Hernan Bernardello, Patrice Bernier, Jeremy Gagnon-Laparé,
George Malki, Calum Mallace, Justin Mapp, Zakaria Messoudi, Blake Smith, Collen Warner.
Forwards: Pete Caringi, Marco Di Vaio, Victor Ndiaye, Sanna Nyassi, Jordan Ongaro, Andrew Wenger
The Captaincy
Since Davy Arnaud's trade, the captaincy has been up for grabs and coach Klopas has hinted that he is considering Marco Di Vaio and Patrice Bernier. Even though the captaincy should not be controversial, Klopas' reign and mark will be symbolized by his choice.
Looking at how contested Davy Arnaud was as a captain among the media and fans, Jesse Marsch's choice has fulfilled his duties remarkably well. The obvious push for local-boy Bernier is understandable but it's only an armband at the end.
There is more than one leader in a team and the captain is a definite symbol of that leadership. But it is important to balance the importance of an armband versus the importance of the effectiveness of the leadership on and off the pitch.
Both Bernier and Di Vaio are valid choices with an obvious tendency towards selecting Patrice. He would get my vote if I had one but at the end, it's all about the pitch; armband or not.
Video
Patrice Bernier
Hassoun Camara
Frank Klopas
Marco Di Vaio