A number of members were in attendance for the Montreal Impact’s second annual general assembly Monday night at the Centre Sheraton in downtown Montreal, and if you were not able to attend (due to the snow or because you are not a season ticket holder), here are some highlights from Monday night’s event:
- The 2015 season will see its first home game in Champions League play, on March 3, against Mexican club Pachuca, at Olympic Stadium. However, details are still to be finalized with CONCACAF.
- The first part of training camp will be held in Montreal at Olympic Stadium, while the second part will be held in Mexico for two weeks in order to get acclimated to the weather conditions and altitude.
- IMFC plans on having just one game at Olympic Stadium next season in MLS, which means the season will most likely start with a number of games on the road.
- Joey Saputo said he never wants to live another MLS season like this past year. The number one priority will be making the playoffs.
- Head coach and Director of Player personnel Frank Klopas wants to improve scouting department as sometimes targeted players don’t always want to come to Montreal or get a better offer elsewhere.
- The coaching staff has recognized that here have been too many injuries over the last two years, so the club wants to find ways to improve on the number of games missed due to injuries.
- Klopas also discussed his wish list for acquiring players in the offseason, explaining the importance of strengthening the team’s spine, including depth at forward, a strong, leader at centre back, a defensive midfielder and a box-to-box midfielder. (read other article here for more: Klopas: "We're going to add players.")
- Klopas also said it was important to bring players who want to be in Montreal.
- Negotiations with midfielder Patrice Bernier are still underway.
- The club will also be wearing a new white jersey in 2015.
