Get Your Kicks: Offseason Action

While the Montreal Impact may not be getting any playoff action this year, their offseason has had some movement already. After Mauro Biello and his staff were relieved of their duties, Joey Saputo promised a high profile coach. Saputo delivered on November 8th with the announcement of new manager, Rémi Garde.

Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports

Changes to the Formula

The next big step of the offseason for the Impact was deciding which players they exercised options for. This resulted in options being exercised for the following:

• Evan Bush GK
• Kyle Fisher CB
• Daniel Lovitz LB/LM
• David Choinière LM
• Michael Salazar RM
• Nick DePuy CF

Alongside this news, the Montreal Impact chose not to exercise options to the following players:

• Eric Kronberg
• Hassoun Camara RB/CB
• Shaun Francis LB
• Andrés Romero RM
• Hernán Bernadello

In other news, Blerim Dzemaili’s contract ending in December will be renewed. Chris Duvall was offered a contract from the team but no developments have been made since. Ambroise Oyongo, who the Impact was hoping to keep, has chosen to sign in Europe. Patrice Bernier, who retired at the end of the 2017 season, has joined the academy as an assistant coach.

Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Mark Your Calendars

Following the end of the MLS Playoffs on December 9th, we will see an action packed month of December. With LAFC joining the MLS this season we get to see another expansion draft (they will select five players from the league that are not protected by their team). Keep these dates in mind if you want to stay in touch with all that will happen in December.

• December 10th: Half-day trade window
• December 12th: Expansion Draft/Beginning of Free Agency
• December13th: MLS Waiver Draft

January will not disappoint either! With the release of the schedule, the adidas MLS Player Combine and the MLS SuperDraft, lots of action will fill this month. More importantly the Montreal Impact preseason will start. Notably, the club made the announcement this week that they will play one preseason match, on February 10th, against new USL club Las Vegas Lights FC.

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports