By FRANCO PANIZO
The Alessandro Nesta-to-MLS rumors have been swirling for weeks and months, and he finally has a club in the league to call home.
The iconic Italian centerback signed with the Montreal Impact on Thursday, the club announced on Thursday. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but what was revealed was that Nesta will not be counted as a Designated Player for the expansion Impact.
The 36-year-old Nesta brings with him a wealth of experience, having won a World Cup with Italy in 2006 and having played in the UEFA Champions League throughout his time in Europe. Nesta will give Montreal a recognizable name to sell to its fans while also providing a capable and talented defender.
In order to acquire Nesta, the Impact had to receive first priority for him from the New York Red Bulls. The Impact gave the Red Bulls allocation money to do so. (UPDATE- Sources close to the situation say the Red Bulls had initially filed a discovery claim for Nesta and, as a result, the Impact needed to acquire first priority to sign him.)
What do you think of the Impact signing Nesta to a non-DP deal? How do you see him faring in Montreal/MLS? Think his name will help sell tickets at Stade Saputo?
Share your thoughts below.
As a former Mutiny season ticket holder (and current Rowdies) must jump in here. MLS canceled the last few games of the regular season due to terrorist attacks. So, maybe they could’ve scraped out a few more points to close out the season.
But, yes, that 2001 team was retched…
By “expansion Chivas or 2001 Tampa Bay” I meant the expansion version of Chivas and the 2001 pre-contraction version of Tampa Bay. My understand is the final Tampa team before contraction was the worst points in a season in league history followed by the first Chivas team. Both had 4 wins which means however mediocre Montreal is, they could lose the rest and still turn out better (5 wins). I do find questions with their choices — I haven’t seen either the Serie A or the “forward squatting” strategies really work much — but their choices will not have historically-bad results so that is some solace to their fans.
And at least time being, still better than TFC.
Tampa joined the league in 1996 and was supporter shield winners so you not sure who you are thinking of as there wasn’t an expansion team in 2001. Tampa and Miami contracted after that season. Perhaps you are thinking of 1998 Miami?