Montreal Impact News Release - www.montrealimpact.com
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
MONTREAL, QUE -- The Montreal Impact has officially presented the 24 players of its 2008 roster, Tuesday, at the Touristic Hall of the Olympic Stadium, during their annual pre-season banquet. During this occasion, the team announced that it had signed two more players, Brazilian forward Severino Jefferson and French defender Cédric Joqueviel for the 2008 season, pending the league’s approval.
“Severino and Cédric have shown great qualities during the training camp,” said Impact head coach Nick De Santis. “Severino showed strong scoring abilities. He can shoot from both feet and he’s able to beat the opponent’s defense. Cédric is a defender who has excellent visibility of the game and demonstrates great potential. Both players will now have to gain experience in our league.”
Jefferson, a 22-year-old Brazilian, played his minor soccer in Brazil. In 2006 and 2007, he played in Greek First Division (Cyprus). He was signed by the Impact following a tryout in Portugal, where he scored the game-winning goal in a 1-0 win against second division club FC Vizela, February 27.
Joqueviel, a 25-year-old defender, is the second player to be promoted from the Impact reserve team, the Trois-Rivières Attak, after defender Alex Surprenant. In 2007, he was named Most Valuable Player of the Year by the club. He was also nominated for Best Defender in the Canadian Soccer League.
Besides, Jefferson and Joqueviel, five other players joined the Impact during the off-season: defenders Adam Braz (Toronto FC, MLS) and Stefano Pesoli (FC Rieti, Italy C2), midfielders Cristian Nuñez (Toronto FC, MLS) and Pato Aguilera (no club), as well as forward Dwight Barnett (Cape Cod Crusaders, PDL).
The organization also announced that Brazilian forward Frederico Moojen has been released. In his single season with the Impact, he tallied two goals and one assist, in 14 games and 773 minutes of play. Suffering from a light abdominal injury since mid-season, he underwent surgery August 20, putting an end to his season.
The Impact will kick off its 2008 season, this Saturday, April 12, against the Whitecaps, at Swangard Stadium, in Vancouver (USLlive.com). The Impact will play its historic first home game at the brand new Saputo Stadium, Monday, May 19, against their Canadian rivals. Season tickets are still available by calling 514-328-3668 or at www.impactmontreal.com.
NICK FILIPPONE NAMED BUILDER OF THE IMPACT
Montreal Impact Vice President Technical & Finance Nick Filippone was honored by the club, Tuesday, as a Team Builder. M. Filippone will now act as a team ambassador.
“It’s an honour and a privilege for me to be named Builder of the club,” said M. Nick Filippone. “The championship in 2004 and the raise of popularity over the last years are my most important souvenirs with the organization. I am proud to have contributed to the Impact success, today a major force on the sport scene in Quebec. I thank the organization and especially the president Joey Saputo for having give me the chance to live those great years.”
“He brought the same discipline and thoroughness to the team’s administration and finances as he did to the field when he played 40 years ago,” said Impact and Saputo Stadium president Joey Saputo. “He layed the foundations for generations of players after him.”
Nick Filippone joins a select group of builders consisting of former players Loyd Barker, Patrick Diotte, Rudy Doliscat and John Limniatis, honored in 2006, and Grant Needham, named in 2007. However, Nick Filippone is the first administrater to receive the honour.
Nick Filippone joined the Impact in 1999 as the club’s Director of Operations and participated in the rebirth of the club in 2002, when he became responsible of the club’s finances. He was one of the founding members of the Lac St. Louis Lakers, which became the best club in the history of the Club’s National Championships. He was also Quebec Soccer Federation President from 1991 to 1994, before being elected to the Executive Board of the Canadian Soccer Association from 1994 to 1999.
As a player in the 60’s and 70’s, he played for Kalena and Montreal Cantalia, two of the first professional soccer clubs in Montreal. He was inducted to the Quebec Elite Soccer League’s Hall of Fame, on October 29, 2006.
LA CAGE AUX SPORTS JOINS THE MONTREAL IMPACT FAMILY
La Cage aux Sports and the Montreal Impact have announced Monday a new long-term partnership. As a Saputo Stadium Builder, the restaurant chain will introduce various initiatives to support the Impact, as well as the local development of soccer. This agreement will take two directions, that is throughout the Cage aux Sports network and at the Saputo Stadium.
As stated by Jean Bédard, President of La Cage aux Sports, this new partnership will allow La Cage aux Sports to strengthen its presence on the professional sports scene.
"We are very happy about this long-term agreement with La Cage aux Sports," said Montreal Impact and Saputo Stadium President Joey Saputo. "Just as our club, La Cage aux Sports is a dynamic company that is in constant progress and that is a leader in its field in Quebec. This partnership will not only be beneficial for the future of the new stadium, but will also help us in our mission to develop soccer throughout the province."
“This initiative is in keeping with our desire to get closer to our customers who enjoy soccer, a sport that is booming in Quebec. This partnership between La Cage aux Sports and the Montreal Impact is natural, since we share the same passion for sports. We are also proud to contribute to the development of the sport across the province,” said Mr. Jean Bédard.
The restaurant chain will be responsible for all the food concessions at the Saputo Stadium. The know-how developed throughout the years in the restaurant business will be applied at the Impact’s new home. Another aspect of the partnership will be the Cage FC Terrasse, which will allow spectators to watch the game in a lively atmosphere.
Also, a far-reaching local promotional program will be launched in restaurants province-wide. An FC Cage card will be offered for team funding, at a cost of $10. All proceeds will be given to local teams. The card will offer gratuities and/or discounts at La Cage aux Sports and at the Montreal Impact boutique. Also, Cage restaurants will give fans the chance to watch an Impact game at the new Saputo Stadium.
Finally, during the 2008 season, a Cage-Montreal Impact clothing line will be launched and available at the Cage aux Sports online boutique at www.cage.ca.
THE CAGE AUX SPORTS NETWORK
A pioneer in theme restaurants in Quebec, Sportscene Group inc. has been owner/franchiser of the restaurant chain La Cage aux Sports since 1984. With 47 restaurants throughout Quebec, La Cage aux Sports is a proud sponsor of the Montreal Canadiens, InterBox and the Montreal Alouettes. The chain also supports amateur sports with Le Club de la Médaille d’or and Sports-Québec. Finally, La Cage sponsors high-level athletes like beach volleyball players Annie Martin and Dana Cooke, freestyle skier Alexandre Bilodeau and IBF super middleweight champion Lucian Bute.
