Impact fans get first glance at revamped squad
MLS club looks to erase memories of ninth-place Eastern Conference finish
Richard Legendre, understandably, must be a glass-half-full kind of guy in his line of work.
As he stood there Wednesday night at the Imperial Cinema for the Impact’s annual members assembly, witnessing the clapping, singing and numerous standing ovations from close to 900 seasonticket holders, Legendre knew he was preaching to the converted.
“Those here tonight are the best ambassadors. We need them to be contagious,” said Legendre, the Impact’s executive vice-president (strategic development and communications) after the 2018 edition of the team was presented to the delirious crowd, the annual inaugural event to launch the season.
“But we need to draw more people. There’s not one magical solution. We always need a team in which the people can believe before the start of every season.
“We need to have a good team on the pitch. We need to improve the fan experience at the stadium, continue to do promotions. We can’t just lay back. We need to be present and visible.”
Despite the Impact coming off a disappointing 11-17-6 season, placing ninth in the Eastern Conference, Legendre said 86 per cent of the club’s season-ticket base renewed their seats. In 2015, coming off another poor year, that number was only at 65 per cent, he said.
Nonetheless, the season-ticket base has decreased from last year, now sitting at about 9,000.
The Impact averaged 20,046 fans per match last season, but that total was inflated by the more than 34,000 people who came to Olympic Stadium for the home opener against Seattle. The team drew only three sellouts at 20,801-seat Saputo Stadium — two in August, another in September — but also attracted a season-low 16,005 at the end of September against New York City FC.
Head coach Mauro Biello was fired after the difficult season, replaced by France native Rémi Garde. The roster also has undergone some reconstruction, but already has received some potentially devastating news heading into Sunday’s opener at Vancouver. New centre-back Zakaria Diallo reportedly suffered a ruptured Achilles tendon at practice this week, probably a season-ending injury. And Garde already has complained about a lack of depth through training camp sessions.
Nonetheless, season-ticket holder Joe Romito said he didn’t hesitate when his renewal form was delivered. The 59-year-old businessman has been a season-ticket holder throughout the Impact’s seven-year Major League Soccer run, spending slightly more than $1,100 a year for two tickets in Section 101.
“I love my city, my soccer team and I’m not a fly-by-night fan. At the end of the day, I love soccer,” said the passionate fan. “We all want a winning team, a competitive team. That’s what I’m looking for. Nobody wants to see a lastplace team. Basically, that’s what we were.
“I’m still optimistic because I’m a positive thinker and a positive person. If we can hang around and be in the middle of the pack, we should make the playoffs. I think we’re going to make the playoffs and make some noise.”
As the players stood on the stage Wednesday night with arms crossed and looking serious, while being introduced individually, they couldn’t help but feel the love and adulation, quickly understanding the rock-star status they hold in the eyes of some.
“It’s incredible. Going into a new season, to get the support the week leading up to it ... we don’t take anything for granted as a club,” said veteran goalkeeper Evan Bush. “We want to represent ... everybody to the best of our ability.
“Standing in the back row ... it kind of gave me chills for a second, thinking how many I’ve been through and to see how the club has progressed ... the fans and how they’ve made everything their own.”
The Impact has existed for 25 years throughout various leagues and will play on this trump card. Former midfield captain Patrice Bernier, now a coach in the team’s academy, has been named ambassador for the silver anniversary season.