It will be an occasion where the four players, who were all part of the Impact’s inaugural edition in 1993 and won the club’s first league championship, in 1994, will be able to realize, more than ever, how their past efforts were not in vain. All four Builders are quite proud to see the Impact having unprecedented success off the field, in terms of popularity with the fans, but also in terms of credibility within the business community, and its vitality as the soccer community’s driving force in the province of Quebec.
“I’m happy, because it means soccer is developping well,” notes Doliscat, who is presently assistant to the technical director at the Quebec Soccer Federation and a soccer analyst on the RDS sports channel. “It’s positive for everyone.”
“What’s happening right now is a very good thing for the Impact and the soccer community, ” says Limniatis, who is now staff coach with the Lac St-Louis regional soccer association. “There’s no doubt those who were there in the past allowed the Impact to be where it is today. A lot of players contributed through the years, and I’m happy to have been able to do my small part.”
“I’m glad to see that other home-grown players have taken over,” says Diotte, who now works as a financial planner, but keeps contact with the soccer world by coaching his two sons, William, 9, and Louis, 7. “Back when we played, in good times or in bad times, we kept coming back year after year because we believed in it. And today, it’s gratifying to see that it has continued to develop.”
“It’s great to see that the seed you’ve planted has grown, and that it’s still growing,” adds Barker, who is presently the Impact’s Director of Youth Development and RĂ©no-DĂ©pĂ´t Soccer Schools.”
Sunday’s game will also be an occasion where the Builders of yesterday — who will be acting as club ambassadors as well — will come and inspire the Builders of tomorrow.
“Having Builders is a very good thing, even for the players who are still active,” says defender Nevio Pizzolitto, who is second after Mauro Biello in terms of years of service with the Impact. “It’s good to know there may be something else waiting for us once our playing career is over. It’s like a second life.”
“There’s no doubt I would like to be recognized for the work and the efforts I put in. You don’t want people to forget what we had to go through to get to where the club is today.”
“It creates some chemistry between today’s team and those of yesterday,” notes captain Mauro Biello, the only active player to have been part of the Impact’s inaugural edition in 1993.”
“For sure, I would love to play here until I retire and continue to contribute to the club’s success, like they did,” says veteran defender Gabriel Gervais. “It’s important to remember the club’s history. It’s very flattering to receive such an honour.”
“The Impact has done great things in the past and we’ve had success, not just tough times, ” pointed out Nick De Santis, the Impact’s former midfielder who is now head coach. “All great pro clubs honour their former players. It’s good for the sport and soccer in Montreal.”
On top of winning the 1994 championship, Barker, Limniatis, Doliscat and Diotte also all won the regular-season title in 1995, 1996 and 1997 with Montreal.
Impact Builders section
