Daniel Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 OUT - Fabro IN - FW Roberto Brown (ex-Colorado Rapids) - D Luis Aguilar (California Victory) - GK Jon Paul Piques (Toronto Lynx - D Alex Surprenant from the reserves (Trois-Rivières Attak) The Montreal Impact announced, Monday, that it had come to terms with forward Roberto Brown, defender Luis Aguilar and goalkeeper Jon Paul Piques, before the July 30 roster freeze, pending approval from the league. The Impact also called up defender Alex Surprenant from the Trois-Rivières Attak and released Argentinean midfielder Martin Fabro. Brown, a 30-year old native of Panama, started his professional career in 1996 with teams in Central America and Europe. He also played more than 40 games with Panama’s national team, scoring 14 goals. In 2007, he scored three goals in 13 games (eight starts) and 696 minutes of play with the Colorado Rapids (MLS), before being released on July 14. “Brown is a strong player who has a lot of experience,” said Montreal Impact head coach Nick De Santis. “He has a very good shot from both feet. We hope that he will bring aggressiveness to our team in offense.” Aguilar, 23, played 19 games and 1,707 minutes this season with the California Victory, one of two USL First Division expansion franchises. He was named Athlete of the Year at Rio Hondo College, when he was playing for the U23 California State Team. He also played in the Premier Development League (PDL) with the San Francisco Seals and the Orlando Ajax. Piques, a 20-year old Canadian goalkeeper, played three years in Portugal. He played for SC Braga, a Portuguese second division club, in 2006. Last spring, he played a few exhibition games during the Toronto FC’s training camp (MLS). He then joined the Toronto Lynx (PDL) but did not play any games. He will shoulder Andrew Weber during Matt Jordan’s absence, who suffered a fractured jaw on July 8, against the Carolina RailHawks. Surprenant, a 17-year-old left defender, started the 12 games he played this season with the Trois-Rivières Attak, the Impact’s reserve-team, scoring two goals in 1,039 minutes of play. A product of Lac St.Louis, he won the gold medal during the Canadian Club Championships, in 2006. “The addition of these three young players will give more depth to the line-up,” said Nick De Santis. “Aguilar has great qualities and had success in his first season in the league. With Gerry Argento’s departure to Thailand for the World College Championships, we needed a third goalkeeper. We also had some interest for Alex Surprenant for the future and he may have the opportunity to play this year.” MARTIN FABRO RELEASED The Impact also announced it had released Argentinean midfielder Martin Fabro. In 17 games, 14 as starter, he scored two goals this season. “We had to take a decision in his case,” explained De Santis. “He did very well during training camp and in the beginning of the season but he was lacking rhythm and aggressiveness in the last few games. At 22, he was not ready for the level and style of our league.” The Impact, which has not played since a 1-1 tie in Minnesota July 18, will face the Carolina RailHawks this Wednesday, at Claude-Robillard Sports Complex, at 7 pm (CJAD 800, USLlive.com). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grizzly Posted July 30, 2007 Share Posted July 30, 2007 Looks like good moves. I have to agree with releasing Fabro as he didn't do anything this season. Brown should be a good addition. It is certainly a bit worrying for the league that the California Victory are getting rid of all of their best players. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jeffery S. Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 quote:Originally posted by Grizzly Looks like good moves. I have to agree with releasing Fabro as he didn't do anything this season. Brown should be a good addition. It is certainly a bit worrying for the league that the California Victory are getting rid of all of their best players. Since Piterman has sold Alavés it is possible he has something else up his sleeve for Cal Victory, or is taking a bigger role in the day to day there and is manipulating the squad more. By the way, since Victory is named after the city where Alavés is, Vitoria, there is no sense in his keeping that name any more either. Watch Piterman try to change the team name for next year, will be fascinating. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DarnCherry Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 There won't be a next year for California. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Jeffery S. Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 quote:Originally posted by Krammerhead There won't be a next year for California. He was bad news from the start, too bad but I won't be surprised if you are right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grizzly Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 quote:Originally posted by Krammerhead There won't be a next year for California. This is what I suspect as well. They are getting rid of their best players just to cut costs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Footy Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 Owner of the Victory is cutting his costs and trying to sell any player on the roster they are dead. What a black eye for the league to have this team come and go in such a short time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grizzly Posted July 31, 2007 Share Posted July 31, 2007 quote:Originally posted by Footy Owner of the Victory is cutting his costs and trying to sell any player on the roster they are dead. What a black eye for the league to have this team come and go in such a short time. In the USL though you have to be happy sometimes if a team completes the full season and doesn't fold midway through. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jason Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 The Victory sound like the worst USL one year wonder since the Edmonton Aviators. Jason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gian-Luca Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 For some reason I remember them as the "Leigh-High Valley Steam", but I could be wrong. It's not like that city (wherever the hell it is) has got a lot of other major pro sports teams. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Posted August 1, 2007 Author Share Posted August 1, 2007 Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania has a surprisingly high population of 790,000. It is the home of classic American club Bethlehem Steel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE_TRUTH Posted August 1, 2007 Share Posted August 1, 2007 Actually the Aviators didn't make it a full season. They folded 3 months in. They played the remaining 2 months under Edmonton FC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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