The members of the Impact want to provide a final victory for Patrice Bernier

Sport 21 October, 2017

Photo: Graham Hughes The canadian Press
Patrice Bernier will play Sunday, his 151st game with the Impact in MLS. It has harvested so far, 14 goals and 25 helpers in the regular season.

The name of Patrice Bernier will be on everyone’s lips at the Saputo stadium on Sunday, while the captain of the Impact will be right on his last lap of the track when the club will host the Revolution of New England.

 

As much Impact (11-16-6) the Revolution (12-15-6) are eliminated from the race to the playoffs of the MLS. The players of the Blue-white-black promise, however, to give everything in the hope of giving a final victory to Bernier.

 

“It is certain that this is not the end of the season you want, but there is one last match, a home game, and this is the last Pat. We want to finish it in beauty, has recalled forward Anthony Jackson-Hamel, earlier this week. We also want to reward our supporters, who have been there throughout the season. To win the last home game, the last of Pat, it would be special. “

 

The club will pay tribute to Bernier during a ceremony on the field before the game. The captain will also do a lap of honour after the game.

 

38-year-old Bernier had announced prior to the campaign for 2017 that it would be his last as a player. Person within the Impact has not wanted to reveal what awaits Brossardois the next season, but everything indicates that he will occupy the post of coach, be with the big club, either in the Academy.

 

“Patrice has always been a student of the sport,” said the head coach of the Impact, Mauro Biello. This may be the next step for him. I think it could do well. “

 

“He knows very well his football,” said Jackson-Hamel. He gave advice to the training on positioning, tactics and technique. […] He spoke to me often of my positioning, how to place my body in the game. “

 

Difficult to replace

 

Jackson-Hamel and defender Laurent Ciman has also recognized that the one who was captain of the Impact for 2014 will be difficult to replace next season.

 

“He always showed the example. He was always on his case and he was there for all the world. He gathered the troops when they were needed. This will be a big piece to replace, ” said Jackson-Hamel.

 

“He does not let go ever. He has a big heart and always the right word at the right time to comfort us and to lift the morale of the troops, has added Ciman. It is he who made the speech before the game and he always had the good word to encourage us and enable us to get by the lions. We will miss it, but it is going to stay in the area. I think that we will continue to see it often here. “

 

Even if the Impact only has one victory in its last nine games (1-8-0), the Revolution could be a good prey for the white-Blue-black under his record abroad of 0-13-3. Ignacio Piatti could be back in the game in the camp montreal, after having treated an injury to a knee. Jackson-Hamel should also be in the lineup, who has recovered from an injury in a thigh.

 

Biello has promised to provide a few minutes for those who have had less opportunity to make an impression this season. However, they also want to maximize the chances of giving a final victory to Bernier.

 

“We discussed a plan together, and it is him who will tell me when he is ready to come out, said Biello. I have a lot of respect for him and I’m going to let him make this decision. “

 

Bernier made his debut with the Impact in 2000, in the now-defunct A-League. After an exodus a decade in Europe, he returned to Montreal in 2012, when the team made its entry into MLS. He will play Sunday, his 151st game with the team in MLS, and he has harvested so far, 14 goals and 25 helpers in the regular season. Bernier has also participated in 56 games with the Canadian national team during his career, amassing two goals and five helpers.