“I’m very happy to be back,” said Biello. “Last year, I was injured a couple times so I intend to come back strong this season. I still want to contribute to the team’s success, especially since it will be a very special year at the new Saputo Stadium.”
In 2008, Biello will play his 15th season with the Impact and his 16th campaign in the United Soccer Leagues First Division. Last year, the 35-year old Montreal native, started 13 of the 15 games he played for a total of 992 minutes. He tallied one goal and two assists for a total of four points. He became the first Impact player to reach the 200-point mark, becoming also the first player in league history to play 300 games with the same team. He missed seven games following a thigh injury and was out of the line-up for the last five games of the regular season due to a dislocated elbow.
“Mauro (Biello) is a player who brings a lot to the team by his leadership in the dressing room and on the field,” said Montreal Impact head coach Nick De Santis. “He is very respected by his teammates and it’s important to have him with us. His extensive experience also helps with the development of our young players.”
Simon Gatti, a Canadian player, who will turn 27 next month, received the Unsung Hero Award last season. During his second season with the Impact, he was a key player for the Impact thanks to his versatility, playing 22 out of 28 games on defense. He was one of the 13 players in the league who played all 28 games this season, reaching the 2000-minutes played mark for the first time in his young career in the USL D1, with 2,046 minutes of play. Gatti registered his first career point with the Impact, June 29, assisting Antonio Ribeiro’s game-winning goal in a 1-0 win over the Puerto Rico Islanders.
“Simon (Gatti) is a versatile player who helped us a lot last season, both as a right defender and a central midfielder, added De Santis. “He always wants to learn more and has a lot of potential. In 2008, he will try to earn a spot on the starting lineup.”
The club also announced that it will not renew American defender Seth Trembly’s contract.
The Impact will kick off the 15th training camp of its history, today at 2 pm, at Catalogna Soccerplexe, in Lachine. During the next two weeks, the Impact will prepare for a pre-season tour, which will begin in Italy, from January 19 to February 1, and continue in Portugal, from February 17 to 28. The Impact will kick off its 2008 season in its new home, the Saputo Stadium, and will play a 30-game regular season in the United Soccer Leagues First Division.
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Source: Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info: 514-328-3668 (ext. 27)
