Team captain nevio pizzolitto will return in 2011

A few newsbits about the Impact to get you guys started this new year!

The Montreal Impact announced on Wednesday that team captain Nevio Pizzolitto will be returning in 2011.

Pizzolitto, a 34-year-old center back, is a veteran of 17 seasons in American second division, 16 of those with Montreal. In 2010, he started 23 of 24 games for a total of 2,067 minutes played. Pizzolitto hit the 2,000 minute-played plateau for the 5th time in his career. He was also on the pitch for all 90 minutes of each of the team’s four playoff games and three Nutrilite Canadian Championship matches.

Pizzolitto is ranked second in club history in games played (276), games started (234) and minutes played (21,769).

PIZZOLITTO'S BIO

“I am very happy to be returning to the club as next season promises to be a very important one,” said Pizzolitto. “I feel great physically and mentally. I believe I still have a lot to give to the club and contribute to its success. I still want to help the Impact to win the championship.”

“I would like to make the jump with the club to the MLS, but for now, I’m looking at things one year at a time,” added Pizzolitto. “After the 2011 season, I will have to be honest with myself and see if I am able and willing to continue playing.”

“It was important to us that Nevio returned to our lineup next season,” said Impact technical director Nick De Santis. “We need experienced players. Nevio will play an important role during the transition season towards Major League Soccer. We will have to manage his playing time well to ensure he is healthy for the entire season. We will then examine whether he’ll be able to play with the club in the MLS.”

With just about one month until training camp, the Impact now has a total of 12 players under contract. The technical team will continue negotiating and recruiting over the next few weeks.


MARC DOS SANTOS IN SENEGAL

Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos will travel to Senegal on Friday for a recruiting trip to the Diambars Institute in Saly Portudal, about 50 km south of Dakar. From January 7 to 13, Dos Santos will be mainly scouting young African players.


DE SANTIS AND BIELLO AT THE MLS COMBINE

Technical director Nick De Santis and assistant coach Mauro Biello will be in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, from January 8 to 11, for the MLS Combine, grouping together the best University players.

“We will have the opportunity to see some young talented players, but this camp will also allow us to meet and continue to make contacts with coaches and general managers in the MLS, as well as some player agents,” said De Santis.


FINAL TRYOUTS THIS WEEK

A total of 180 players are taking part this week in the final tryout for the Impact Academy’s sport-études program. The final age-group of players (1995) will be evaluated tonight, from 7 to 8:30 pm, at the Centre d’activités physiques et communautaires de l’Est, in Montreal. Approximately 70 players will be selected for the 2011 school year. All of the players chosen will play with the U14, U15 and U16 Academy teams playing in Quebec’s Elite Soccer League for the 2012 season.

“It’s good to see these young players with good technical skills,” said De Santis. “Now, it’s up to us to properly develop these players to help them progress to the next level, as they will be playing in a very competitive environment. They will need to be challenged every day.”