Montreal Impact News Release - www.montrealimpact.com

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

MONTREAL, QUE -- The Montreal Impact announced that midfielder Félix Brillant had come to terms with the club for the remaining of the 2008 season, pending league’s approval.

Brillant, 27, from Brossard, played with Norway’s FK Sparta Sarpborg in 2007. He started his pro career with the New England Revolution (MLS), in 2004, scoring one goal and adding two assists in 856 minutes of play. He then played for the defunct Virginia Beach Mariners, during the 2005 and 2006 seasons, tallying two goals and seven points in 33 games (1,884 minutes of play).

“Félix is a player who has already gained experience in our league but who also acquired abilities in Europe,” said Impact technical director Nick De Santis. He is a player who has matured technically and mentally. He showed us great skills during training in the past few weeks. This acquisition gives us even more depth.”

Prior to his professional career, Brillant spent two seasons with the Cape Cod Crusaders, helping guide the club to back-to-back USL Premier Development League Championships in 2002 and 2003. He played in 20 regular season games with a goal and two assists and saw action in seven of the club's eight postseason games in their two championship runs.

With the addition of Félix Brillant, the Impact now has 23 players on its roster. With the possibility to play 25 games in the next three months, the Impact could add a few other players to the team.

“We will play two very important games against Nicaragua’s team and maybe more in the CONCACAF Champions League, while our regular season championship also remains a priority for us,” added De Santis. “We are thinking of adding three more players to our lineup, including at least one forward. We want to be ready both for the championship and the league, two priorities for us right now.”

In addition to its 12 remaining regular season games, the Impact will play two exhibition games against its reserve team the Trois-Rivières Attak. The Impact will face twice Real Esteli (Nicaragua), in the CONCACAF Champions League, in a home-and-away series, and could also play six games in the group stage. The Impact could also play three playoff games if the team qualifies for the USL First Division championship finale.

Montreal Impact schedule Changes / CONCACAF Champions League dates

The Montreal Impact announced Wednesday that it would play its two home-and-away series games of the CONCACAF Champions League, August 27 and September 2, as set in the CONCACAF calendar.

However, the Impact has changed two regular season game dates in the United Soccer Leagues First Division. The game against the Portland Timbers, initially scheduled on August 27, has been moved to September 8, while the September 3 match against the Rochester Rhinos will now be held August 13.

Fans will from now on have to present their September 3 ticket to attend the September 8 game, whereas the August 27 ticket (Portland) will be valid for the Champions League game on the same date.

“It’s important for us not to penalize season ticket holders, as well as fans who have purchased individual tickets for either the August 27 or September 3 game,” said Joey Saputo, President of the Impact and Saputo Stadium. “We are happy to give the opportunity to supporters to see our first CONCACAF Champions League game.”

For the August 13 game, soccer fans will benefit from a ticket price discount, adult seating having been set at $10 and youth seating at $5 (16 years and less). Priority for the purchase of tickets will be given to season ticket holders – president’s club, platinum and prestige – until Monday, August 4. On Monday, at 9 am, tickets will be available to the general public through Admission (514-790-1245).

“Exactly two weeks from the game against the Rhinos, we want the highest possible attendance to encourage the Impact against our Rochester rivals,” said Richard Legendre, Executive Vice President of the Impact and Saputo Stadium. “Impact soccer remains the most affordable professional sport in Montreal.”

In this home-and–away playoff series, the Impact will face Real Esteli FC, the Nicaraguan champion team.

Note that further changes may occur on the calendar, should the Impact qualify for the group phase of the CONCACAF Champions League, which will be held from September 16 to October 30.