Montreal Impact News Release - www.montrealimpact.com

Thursday, March 15, 2007

MONTREAL, QUE -- On the eve of officially kicking off its training camp, the Montreal Impact announced, Wednesday, the signing of midfielders Martin Fabro and Shaun Tsakiris for the 2007 season, while defender Mauricio Vincello and goalkeeper Andrew Weber will be back with the team until 2008.

Martin Fabro, a 21-year old midfielder, was spotted by Impact head coach Nick De Santis and his assistant Peter Pinizzotto during a scouting trip in Argentina, last February. Fabro played more than 60 games in first division in Argentina with club Independiente, from 2002 to 2006. He also played for the U-20 National Team. Fabro signed a one-year deal, pending international clearance.

Shaun Tsakiris, a 28-year old American, played three seasons with the Rochester Raging Rhinos, from 2003 to 2005. In 36 games with Rochester, he played 1,767 minutes, scored one goal and added four assists. Beforehand, he was a member of the defunct Syracuse Salty Dogs. Tsakiris also played 24 games with the United States U20 National Team.

“These two players are important additions to our line-up which will bring considerable depth to our midfield,” said Impact head coach Nick De Santis. “Martin (Fabro) is an offensive and creative midfielder who has a lot of speed. Shaun (Tsakiris) is a player with experience who has an excellent technique.”

VINCELLO AND WEBER ARE BACK
Defender Mauricio Vincello, the 2006 winner of the Giuseppe-Saputo Trophy awarded to the Impact’s team MVP, has played the last three seasons with the Impact. In 2006, he started at least 20 games and played a minimum of 1,500 minutes for the 7th time in as many USL D1 seasons. The 29-year old defender was also a starter for the USL All-Star Game, July 19 in Cary, North Carolina.

Goalkeeper Andrew Weber made his USL First Division debut with the Impact in 2006, winning the Impact’s Unsung Hero award. Taking over for Greg Sutton after an injury, the 23-year-old ‘keeper played in 14 straight games, posting an impressive 8-1-5 record with a 0.571 GAA and seven shutouts.

“Both of them played an important role for us last year, said Nick De Santis. “Mauricio (Vincello) is a player who consistently helps us boost one of the best defenses in the league every year and who can provide good offensive support. He is one of the most respected players in the league. Andrew (Weber) on his side has shown a very good work ethic. He demonstrated very good skills in 2006.”

THE IMPACT AND CARLSBERG ANNOUNCE PARTNERSHIP
The Montreal Impact and Carlsberg beer have announced a three-year partnership, as the Danish brewery becomes a major partner with the club.

Details of the new agreement were unveiled, Wednesday, at a press conference in downtown Montreal, in the presence of the Director of Business Development for Carlsberg Canada, Rob Boulet, and Montreal Impact President Joey Saputo.

“We’re very pleased, today, to be able to count on a new partner who will join us in our quest for excellence,” said Montreal Impact President Joey Saputo. “With a dynamic team, international exposure and soccer-specific expertise, we are convinced that Carlsberg will bring a new dimension to the team.”

“Carlsberg is very proud to be associated with the Montreal Impact, one of the top soccer teams in the country,” said Rob Boulet, Director of Business Development for Carlsberg Canada. “We intend to do everything, to put everything in place to create a solid, visible and exciting partnership with the Impact.”

Under the agreement, Carlsberg will notably have its company logo on the team’s short for all games.

Carlsberg, which becomes the Impact’s official beer, plans to create numerous promotional events with the Impact, both at the games and through its distribution networks.

The brewery is associated with some of the most important soccer organizations in the world, such as EURO 2008, the UEFA Cup, the English Premier League, FC Liverpool and Toronto FC (MLS).

Founded in 1847, Carlsberg has a yearly world production of 90 millions hectolitres and is the fifth beer producer in the world, on top of being the global beer brand with the largest growth. Carlsberg beer is sold in more than 140 countries throughout the world.

2007 TRAINING CAMP: SIX PLAYERS INVITED
Six players who took part in the Impact “on invitation” three-day camp, last week, have been invited to the team’s official training camp, which will kick off Thursday morning at 9 am at the Catalogna Soccerplexe, in Lachine.

Defenders Cédric Joqueviel and Paul Moran, midfielders Joe Di Buono and Seth Tremblay, as well as forwards Ablaye Camara and Evans Asembia were invited.

For a second consecutive season, the team will then fly to Florida, from March 22nd to April 4th to continue its camp outdoors, at the Sunrise Hilton Sports Complex in Fort Lauderdale. The Impact will square off against USL First Division teams in exhibition play, notably against the Rochester Raging Rhinos, March 29, and the Miami FC, March 30.

The Impact will kick off the 2007 First Division United Soccer Leagues season on Sunday, April 21 in Atlanta against the Silverbacks. The Impact will play its 14th home opener of its history at Claude-Robillard Sports Complex on Sunday, May 20, against the Seattle Sounders.

The Impact 2007 season-ticket packages are now on sale. For further information, contact the Impact ticketing office at 514-328-3668 or ticketing@impactmontreal.com.