Adam Braz Announces His Retirement
March 14, 2011 - North American Soccer League (NASL)
Montreal Impact News Release
MONTREAL â€" Defender Adam Braz announced his retirement on Monday, following a nine year professional career, seven as a member of the Montreal Impact. Braz will now become the team manager.
"I took a lot of time to make this decision," said Adam Braz. "I am retiring today because it has always been my long term goal to transition into sport management and the opportunity presented itself. I am extremely excited to remain with the Montreal Impact, the organization that I grew up with and which is a big part of my life. I envision my new role as managing the team in the most efficient and productive way on all aspects outside the field in order to ensure that the players and coaches can focus solely on their performance on the field."
"I would like to thank the entire organization, but especially the club president Joey Saputo, who gave me the opportunity to play for one of the best clubs in North America, along with Sporting Director Nick De Santis, who always believed in my abilities and who was honest with me throughout my career. I would also like to recognize Marc Dos Santos, Mauro Biello, Gil Orriols Jansana and Youssef Dahha of the coaching staff, my teammates and of course, my family."
"Adam took us all by surprise when he told us of his intentions. He could have easily continued playing," said sporting director Nick De Santis. "I salute the great career he carved out for himself at the highest levels of North American soccer, with the Impact, in MLS and with the national team. He will now have other important responsibilities with the team as the principal liaison between the players, the coaches and the technical staff, but Adam has always been dedicated to the club and we know that he was made for this new role."
Braz, a 29-year-old Montrealer, retires after playing in 145 games, 121 of those as a starter, for a total of 10,849 minutes in regular season play, helping the Impact win two regular season titles in 2005 and 2006. Braz is in the top 10 all-time with the Impact for games played, games started and minutes played.
Other career highlights include being on the field as a starter for the first-ever game at Saputo Stadium, on May 19, 2008, and earned an assist on the first-ever goal scored by the Impact at Saputo Stadium on June 13, 2008. Recognized for his drive and determination, the right defender leaves the game with 37 yellow cards, the club's 4th highest total all-time.
He also started 22 of 24 playoff games for a total of 2,020 minutes, helping the Impact win the championship in 2004 and 2009.
In 2009, he earned the team's Unsung Hero award after playing in 22 games, 18 as a starter, despite a serious thigh injury.
Braz was also a member of the Nutrilite Canadian Championship winning side in 2008, helping the Impact become the first ever Canadian team to qualify for the quarterfinals of the CONCACAF Champions League. Braz started 10 games in the Canadian competition, tied for tops all-time with Matt Jordan, and played in seven of 10 games for the Impact in the CONCACAF Champions League run.
As a member of the Impact, Braz was able to play against some of the biggest international clubs in friendly matches, including AC Milan, Fiorentina, Bordeaux and River Plate.
He also played in 25 games in 2003 with Vasteras SK, a second division club in Sweden, and he donned the colours of the Toronto FC in Major League Soccer (MLS) in 2007.
In international play, Braz represented Canada at all age levels: U17, U20, U23 and senior. With the senior team, he played a total of 12 games between 2004 and 2007, most notably suiting up for the CONCACAF Gold Cup in 2005 and 2007.
Braz attended the business schools of St. John's University in New York and Fairfield University in Connecticut.
REMY EYCKERMAN NAMED EQUIPMENT MANAGER
The Montreal Impact also announced Monday the hiring of Remy Eyckerman, as the new equipment manager for the club's five teams: first team, reserve team (Academy U21), as well as the three other youth teams, the Academy U14, U15 and U16. Aldo Ricciuti maintains his role as the equipment coordinator for the first team.
NICK DE SANTIS IN ARGENTINA
Impact sporting director Nick De Santis has departed for a scouting trip in Argentina, with the club's first season in Major League Soccer (MLS) in mind. De Santis will have an opportunity to watch first and second division players for an entire week, in Buenos Aires.
HERRICK AND DIOUF ON TRYOUT
Forward Jason Herrick is on tryout with the Impact this week. Herrick played for the University of Maryland, before getting drafted by the Chicago Fire (45th overall) in the most recent MLS draft. Senegal's Miniane Diouf, of the Diambars Centre, who plays for Senegal's national U17 team, will be on tryout with the Impact next week.
TWO EXHIBITION MATCHES
The Impact has added two more exhibition matches to its preseason calendar. The Impact will play an intra-club match versus the Academy U21, this Friday at 4:30pm at the CAPCE, near Marie-Victorin College. The Impact will also play a selection of university players (IUSF), on Friday, March 25, at the Bell Sports Complex at 10am.
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North American Soccer League Stories from March 14, 2011
- FC Edmonton Signs American Midfielder - FC Edmonton
- Joe Warren Unretires, Returns to NSC Minnesota Stars - Minnesota United FC
- Adam Braz Announces His Retirement - Montreal Impact
- Carolina RailHawks FC Announces Three Additions to Ticket Sales and Fan Development Team - North Carolina FC
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