Nuke Soccer

MONTREAL, QC — The Montreal Impact announced the return of Panamanian striker Roberto Brown for the 2010 season.

Brown, 32, played the last three seasons in Montreal. In 2009, he established several personal records with the Impact, playing 25 matches, including 17 on the starting lineup (1,568 minutes), during which he tallied seven goals and three assists for 17 points. He won his first playoff championship while being a starter during all six matches (512 minutes), earning two goals and as many passes. He won the finals Most Valuable Player award, after tallying one goal and one assist during the return game against the Vancouver Whitecaps, October 17, at Saputo Stadium.

During his three seasons in Montreal, Brown has up to now registered 12 goals and nine assists for 33 points, in 47 regular season matches (32 starts).

“We are very happy to have come to an agreement with Roberto,” said Impact technical director Nick De Santis. “Roberto was a key figure in 2008 and 2009. In the most important games, he has always been one of the best players because of his experience and his savvy of playing in different situations and at different levels of play. His contribution in the playoffs, in the Canadian Championship and in the CONCACAF Champions League played a very important role in the team’s success.”

“It was important to bring back a player with his experience, who is now part of the nucleus of players that took form a few years ago,” added De Santis. “He adjusted to the club’s philosophy and to the level of play. We know what to expect from him.”

Brown, who will be arriving in Montreal on Sunday, brings to seven the number of foreign players under contract with the organization for the 2010 season, the six others being Philippe Billy, Peter Byers, Leonardo Di Lorenzo, Cédric Joqueviel, Stefano Pesoli and Filipe Soares. Di Lorenzo will be returning from Argentina this Saturday.

The Impact currently continues its training camp at the Bell Sports Complex in Brossard. The team will play an inter-squad match Saturday at 12:30 pm. A few players from its reserve team, the Trois-Rivières Attak, will take part in this game.

Season tickets for the 2010 season are currently on sale. Prices remain once again this year very accessible, starting at $180 in the supporters section and $250 in the Bronze category. Packages may be purchased by contacting the Montreal Impact at 514-328-3668 or at impactmontreal.com.