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THE IMPACT ACQUIRES ROBERTO BROWN, LUIS AGUILAR AND JON PAUL PIQUES
Forward Roberto Brown when he was playing with the Colorado Rapids
MONTREAL - The Montreal Impact announced, Monday, that it had come to terms with forward Roberto Brown, defender Luis Aguilar and goalkeeper Jon Paul Piques, before the July 30 roster freeze, pending approval from the league. The Impact also called up defender Alex Surprenant from the Trois-Rivières Attak and released Argentinean midfielder Martin Fabro.
Brown, a 30-year old native of Panama, started his professional career in 1996 with teams in Central America and Europe. He also played more than 40 games with Panama’s national team, scoring 14 goals. In 2007, he scored three goals in 13 games (eight starts) and 696 minutes of play with the Colorado Rapids (MLS), before being released on July 14.
“Brown is a strong player who has a lot of experience,” said Montreal Impact head coach Nick De Santis. “He has a very good shot from both feet. We hope that he will bring aggressiveness to our team in offense.”
Aguilar, 23, played 19 games and 1,707 minutes this season with the California Victory, one of two USL First Division expansion franchises. He was named Athlete of the Year at Rio Hondo College, when he was playing for the U23 California State Team. He also played in the Premier Development League (PDL) with the San Francisco Seals and the Orlando Ajax.
Piques, a 20-year old Canadian goalkeeper, played three years in Portugal. He played for SC Braga, a Portuguese second division club, in 2006. Last spring, he played a few exhibition games during the Toronto FC’s training camp (MLS). He then joined the Toronto Lynx (PDL) but did not play any games. He will shoulder Andrew Weber during Matt Jordan’s absence, who suffered a fractured jaw on July 8, against the Carolina RailHawks.
Surprenant, a 17-year-old left defender, started the 12 games he played this season with the Trois-Rivières Attak, the Impact’s reserve-team, scoring two goals in 1,039 minutes of play. A product of Lac St.Louis, he won the gold medal during the Canadian Club Championships, in 2006.
“The addition of these three young players will give more depth to the line-up,” said Nick De Santis. “Aguilar has great qualities and had success in his first season in the league. With Gerry Argento’s departure to Thailand for the World College Championships, we needed a third goalkeeper. We also had some interest for Alex Surprenant for the future and he may have the opportunity to play this year.”
MARTIN FABRO RELEASED
The Impact also announced it had released Argentinean midfielder Martin Fabro. In 17 games, 14 as starter, he scored two goals this season.
“We had to take a decision in his case,” explained De Santis. “He did very well during training camp and in the beginning of the season but he was lacking rhythm and aggressiveness in the last few games. At 22, he was not ready for the level and style of our league.”
The Impact, which has not played since a 1-1 tie in Minnesota July 18, will face the Carolina RailHawks this Wednesday, at Claude-Robillard Sports Complex, at 7 pm (CJAD 800, USLlive.com).
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Source: Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info: 514-328-3668, ext. 27
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