Stars und Sternchen! » Veteran midfielder Patrice Bernier will be a popular

MONTREAL -- A day before heading to Florida to continue training camp, the Montreal Impact picked up a new captain and a new striker. Veteran midfielder Patrice Bernier will be a popular choice to replace the departed Davy Arnaud as captain, not only because he is a local player and fluently bilingual. "Hes always very positive in his attitude around the team," sporting director Nick De Santis said Thursday. "And even in difficult times, you never see the pressure get to him. These are important things." And Santiago Gonzalez, a 21-year-old forward from the Sud America club in Uruguay, who was signed under Major League Soccers special discovery rule, could be a nice addition to a club that is thin up front. The Impact ended their first phase of camp indoors at Marie Victorin College and now move onto grass fields and warm weather in Orlando, Fla., to defend their title in the Disney Pro Soccer Classic, a pre-season tournament. Bernier, of Brossard, Que., was hoping to get the captains armband after Arnaud, their skipper for their first two MLS seasons who left for D.C. United. New coach Frank Klopas picked veterans Marco Di Vaio, Matteo Ferrari and Troy Perkins as Berniers assistants. The 34-year-old Bernier began his pro career with the Impact, then played nine seasons in Europe before returning for the clubs MLS expansion season in 2012. "Its another step in my career and a new challenge in terms of my personality and what I have to do, not just on the field, but how to interact with my teammates," said Bernier "I started off here and hopefully I end here. Now, to have the armband, its a great show of respect." Luring Bernier back from Europe was one of the Impacts most important moves while moving from the second tier NASL to MLS. It gave them a high quality midfielder who understood North American soccer but who could also relate to the many European, especially Italian, players the club brought in. Bernier has 13 goals and 16 assists in 58 games over the last two seasons. He was named the Impacts player of the year in 2012 and played in the MLS all-star game last season. Arnaud arrived with the experience and credentials to make him the logical pick as the teams first MLS captain, and Bernier was the obvious pick to succeed him. Even while Arnaud wore the armband, Bernier was the teams most visible player in the media and out in the community. "Maybe now Ill be looked upon as the reflection of the team in what I say and what I do," he said. "Ill be the same guy as before, but maybe you have to stand out. "Its something special. In soccer, the captain is the first one to step onto the field, the first one that people see, that the referees go to for explanations or rectifications or whatever. So I cant just think of my own bubble anymore." Star striker Di Vaio had a little fun when asked about Bernier as captain. "I dont agree. I wanted to be captain," he said, before smiling and adding "No. Its good for us and its good for Patrice. Its the best thing for the team. We know that Patrice is going to be a good captain for us, for the club and for the fans." Bernier has been unable to join his teammates on the field since the first day of camp as he heals from surgery on Dec. 11 to fix loose cartilage in his right knee. He expects to resume full training in Florida. Also on the pitch in Orlando will be Gonzalez, who was in Montreal and was to make the flight with a team after undergoing a medical exam. De Santis said that as a special discovery player, the club can amortize the five-foot-eight forwards costs over several years, so that his salary cap hit stays between $125,000 and $150,000. He is also not a designated player, which leaves one DP spot open for a future signing. Di Vaio and Argentine midfielder Hernan Bernardello are the teams DPs. "Hes going to bring a new dynamic to the team," said De Santis. "Theres a question of adaptation because its the first time he leaves his country to play professional soccer, so we need to be patient with him. But hes got a lot for good qualities." De Santis also denied reports from Italy that Pablo Piatti of Valencia and Stefano Mauri of Lazio would be joining the Impact, saying hes had no contact with either club. He said he may still sign another player "if we can add an important piece to get you to the next level." Kevin Mchale Jersey . "Its not done, but its a huge step," Hannover general manager Dirk Dufner said. Poor defending allowed the visitors to score in the second minute, when Leon Andreasens header from Christian Panders cross sent the ball inside the far post. Marcus Smart Jersey . A better question yet may be this: How many times has the same player been involved in both? Morneau hit a two-run homer in the 10th inning and helped the Colorado Rockies turn the third triple play in team history as they beat the San Diego Padres 8-6 on Sunday. http://www.shopceltics.com/Cheap-Marcus-Morris-Celtics-Jersey/ . He, the 25-year-old Toronto backup net-minder and Manitoba native, would be making just his fourth start in the past 16 games against the Jets the following evening. It was the word of opportunity for Reimer, who has fallen into the role of backup, outmatched in recent weeks by Jonathan Bernier, his Quebec counterpart. Jayson Tatum Jersey . The Detroit Tigers slugger fell short in his bid to become the first player to win the Triple Crown in successive seasons. Aron Baynes Jersey . An offseason trade acquisition from Kansas City, Greinkes National League debut was delayed by a non-baseball injury in the spring, and he was 0-1 after dropping an 8-0 decision at Atlanta in his initial appearance with the Brewers on May 4.Celtic midfielder Liam Henderson is determined to become a regular in the first-team under manager Brendan Rodgers. The 20-year-old made his debut for the Hoops three years ago as a late substitute in a 5-0 win over Motherwell at Fir Park.After showing much promise with Celtic he went to Norwegian side Rosenborg on loan and then to Hibernian last season, where he played a vital role in helping the Edinburgh club win the Scottish Cup for the first time in 114 years last season. Henderson returned to Celtic Park in the summer and following two substitute appearances under Rodgers, he made his first start in the 2-0 win at home to Motherwell on Saturday. Celtic boss Brendan Rodgers has a chat with Henderson after the win over Motherwell A Scott Sinclair strike and a late Moussa Dembele penalty kept the Hoops four points clear of main title challengers Aberdeen at the top of the Premiership with a game in hand.And the Scotland U21 international believes his decision to remain at the club, rather than move elsewhere on loan, will prove fruitful.Henderson said: When I came back I had quite a lot of teams interested in taking me on loan but I spoke to my family, friends, older experienced players I have played with and I speak to the manager regularly.I have done my loans. I have been out on two loan spells and I would like to think I have been pretty successful in those loan spells and I want to look back and have no regrets. Celtics Scott Sinclair shoots past Craig Samson to open the scoring against Motherwell I want to give it the best shot I can try to be a Celtic player.dddddddddddd I have no doubt in my mind that Celtic is definitely the best place for me. We have a big, quality squad and everyone is fighting for places.It is a great place to be and you can see the fans are turning out, we are playing extremely attractive football and I am working under a world-class manager so for me it is second to none.It is only going to make me better. Liam Fontaine and Henderson celebrate Hibernians Scottish Cup final win Rodgers was pleased with Hendersons contribution as the Hoops boss now turns his attention to the Champions League game against Borussia Monchengladbach at Celtic Park on Wednesday.Ive been wanting to see young Liam for a period of time because I think hes a talent but its been hard to get him in, Rodgers said.But I felt it was a good day for that and I thought he was excellent in the game tactically - thinking about the game and playing with his brain - and physically he was very good.You can watch Liverpool v Man Utd, plus Englands tour of Bangladesh and the British Masters on Sky Sports. Upgrade now and enjoy six months at half price! Also See: Celtic video Celtic fixtures Celtic stats Get ￡10 free bet! ' ' '