Montreal Impact Training Camp Day One: Captaincy, Andres Romero and Frank Klopas

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

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

More from Mount Royal Soccer

Follow @MtRoyalSoccer Follow @SBNationSoccer

• 2014 Impact Training Camp Talking Points: The Marie-Victorin Edition
• L'hiver porte conseil : première partie
• Les Besoins de l'Impact de Montreal en 2014: À quoi s'attendre ?
• Montreal Impact pick Pete Caringi with its third round pick in 2014 MLS Draft
• Montreal Impact Looking at a Sober Transfer Market