Impact adds Terminesi, looks at four trialists

As the Montreal Impact prepares to face the Fort Lauderdale Strikers at Stade Saputo Wednesday night, the team has brought another familiar face back into the fold.

The club announced Tuesday that Canadian striker Marco Terminesi, a deal that lasts until the end of the 2011 season.

The 26-year-old is better known to soccer fans as an indoor player, where he is a star for the MISL powerhouse Milwaukee Wave. Terminesi was a second-team all-star in 2009-10, even though he missed the end of the season due to a brain tumor that was successfully treated.

Even after such a serious health issue, he continues to fight to make an impact in pro outdoor soccer, as well. He played in seven matches with the Impact last season, registering one assist.

“Considering the position we are in right now with a few players injured and our needs to get more offensive punch, he is a good addition to our lineup,” said Impact sporting director Nick De Santis in a release. “Marco did not have the chance to find his momentum last year but we know that he has the ability to get in good areas and to create scoring chances. He will also bring a positive attitude in the dressing room. We know that he will put all the efforts possible to help this team win.”

Forward Reda Agourram and defender Zurab Tsiskaridze will miss the Fort Lauderdale match.

And, as the Impact — currently in seventh spot in the eight-team NASL — continues to try and fix its massive personnel problems on the fly, the club is also looking at four, count ‘em, four trialists this week.

Defenders Eddy Viator (Guadeloupe), Ross Smith (Canada) and Cameron Knowles (New Zealand), have joined midfielder Ian Westlake (England) in Impact camp.

Of course, Guadeloupe is part of France — even though CONCACAF permits the Caribbean territory to represent itself in regional competitions. Viator, if he makes the club, would be the fourth French international on the roster. Viator has almost a decade’s worth of experience in French second-division football.

Viator played the full 90 in Guadeloupe’s 1-0 loss to Canada at the recently completed Gold Cup.

Knowles is a former Portland Timber who also played in four MLS matches with Real Salt Lake.
Smith is also a former Timber who also spent time with the Colorado Rapids, but didn’t get into an MLS match.

Westlake has played for a slew of English lower-tier clubs, most notably Leeds United and Ipswich Town.