Montreal Impact Signs Veteran Defender Heath Pearce

Just a few days before their season opener in Dallas on Saturday night, the Montreal Impact officially announced that they have signed defender Heath Pearce and he will be on the roster to start the season.

The 29-year old Pearce went to training camp with the Impact on a trial basis, and showed enough during the pre-season to secure a contract. Pearce has been in Montreal since the team returned so a contract was seen as a formality.

He is a Major League Soccer veteran, playing five seasons and 106 games. He’s scored two goals and added 12 assists. He was most recently with the New York Red Bulls in 2012 and 2013 and started 29 games for them last year. He is a three-time MLS All-Star.

“Having played over 100 games in this league, his experience and soccer savvy will bring a lot to the team,” said Impact Sporting Director Nick De Santis in a statement. “He is a natural left back, who will give us more depth on defence and who can contribute to the offence as well. Heath is highly motivated to get back to the level that saw him on the national team at one point in his career.”

Prior to joining MLS, he played in Europe for FC Nordsjealland, in the Danish first division, and with Hansa Rostock, in both the first and second divisions in Germany. He has played 35 games with the U.S. National team as well including being on the 30-man preliminary roster for the 2010 World Cup team.

The Impact enter their third season with questions all over the pitch as new head coach Frank Klopas tries to get his imprint on this team. The team can use Pearce’s experience on the back end as you could never have too much experience and depth over a long MLS season.

The Impact open their season Saturday night at 8:30 p.m. in Dallas against FC Dallas. The game will be televised by TVA Sports and on radio on TSN Radio 690.