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Heading towards training camp, in preparation for their first season in North America's top flight, the Montreal Impact have already signed 2 Canadian players in Patrice Bernier and Greg Sutton. Under current MLS rules, it is still one less than the league minimum. The Impact have announced that they have given trials to 5 players who are considered by MLS as Canadians, all of whom played last year for the organization. They are: Reda Agourram, Simon Gatti, Mircea Ilcu, Nevio Pizzolitto and Eduardo Sebrango. One would have to guess that at least one of those players will be offered and sign a contract with the club, if not more.
Mircea Ilcu is the safe pick to get a contract for many reasons. He qualifies as an homegrown player because he was a member of the Montreal Impact Academy in 2011 while also playing with the senior side. Mircea was one of the great surprises of 2011 and played well when he was given the opportunity. If Marsch wants to hold on to the Romanian-born Ilcu, he won't have to worry about the salary cap so if he feels that the 20-year old forward can contribute to the team, it will be a no brainer to sign him.
Simon Gatti was one of the best Impact players throughout the 2011 season. Gatti, usually a right back, was playing left back because Frenchman Philippe Billy was considered better at that position. However, Billy struggled and the club chose to position Gatti, who will turn 31 before the season, as the starting right back. Gatti was named the team's unsung hero at the end of the season. Playing over 2000 minutes in NASL, the Welland, Ontario native was the team's second-most used outfield player behind the Impact's second MLS signing, Hassoun Camara. Gatti's versality at playing both left and right back can help bolster the Impact's depth on the backline.
Eduardo Sebrango's inclusion in the squad is a surprise because he had retired prior to the start of the season to coach one of the youth teams of the Impact Academy. It was felt that Sebrango, who will be 39 in April, was maybe too old to play in 2012 and it was better for him to retire and coach. However, the Impact struggled and brought back Sebrango for 2011 and he finished second in scoring with 6 goals. Sebrango is the only player who is not eligible to be a Canadian international as he played for Cuba. Eddy could potentially fill a spot by playing a substitute role when the team needs a goal.
For Reda Agourram, 2011 was a year to forget. Injuries sidelined him for most of the season and the Moroccan-born Canadian U-23 striker didn't find the back of the net in limited action. Agourram had only 4 starts this year, but those starts happened when star striker Ali Gerba was injured. He can still make the team because of his potential but if he makes the club, it would be highly unlikely he'll play much in league competition.
The NASL captain of the Impact, Nevio Pizzolitto also had a bad year in 2011. Pizzolitto is no spring chicken; he'll turn 36 in August. The center-back was injured and played worse than in previous years. Pizzolitto will have to show that he can play the way he played 2-3 years ago if he wants to secure a spot on the club. He could still make it to cover Nelson Rivas, Bobby Burling and Hassoun Camara and to provide some continuity. After all, Nevio is the team's longest serving member.
Jesse Marsch and the Montreal Impact front office will have difficult decisions on offering MLS contracts with respect to the Canadian quota. Unless the Impact actively seek out another player, it would be expected that the team will pick from the 5 players named above and these trialists will need to be ready for training camp. From these players there are two clear paths the organization can take: they could choose to fill the roster with youth in Ilcu and Agourram, or they could also pick from their veterans if they feel they are playing at a high enough level and also if they do a good job challenging the 21 players who already have a contract.
Youth or experience? What direction do you think Montreal should take with regards to rounding out their Canadian content?
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