MONTREAL -- The Montreal Impact need to make the most of Italian stars Marco Di Vaio and Alessandro Nesta while theyve got them, said midfielder Patrice Bernier.
[b]Carolina Hurricanes Pro Shop[/b] . That means now, because it appears that neither of the 37-year-olds will be back next season. Former Italy and AC Milan defender Nesta has already indicated he will retire at the end of the Major League Soccer season, and Di Vaio said this week that he may also quit for family reasons, even though he would prefer to play another year. "No one knows what next years going to bring," Bernier said Friday. "Theres personnel that we didnt expect to be here a long time and we have to take advantage of it. "If theyre here next year, great, but this is the season where the teams in good position. Its our second year (together). We know each other better and you have to take advantage of these moments and these players who are maybe in their last year, like Marco." The Impact (13-7-6) are unbeaten in their last four games and much of the credit goes to DiVaio, who has six of Montreals 11 goals in that span. The former Bologna striker leads MLS with 17 goals. They will be looking for another three points when they face the struggling Columbus Crew (9-14-5) on Saturday afternoon. Lately, the stocky Di Vaio has looked like he could play a few more years, but he said this week he will decide with his family whether to stay on after the 2013 campaign. Either way, he said he will play his best until the end of this season. "Its great to have him," added Bernier. "I take every game with him like its the last because you never know. "It could be he comes back, it could be he doesnt, but this is the year where the group has to see that we can do something that will set the standard for the future. Next year, I hope we have another player like Marco. You never know, but Im just going to enjoy 2013 as long as it lasts." The Impact slumbered through the summer and were in a 1-4-3 slump when they found their legs again on Aug. 17 with a 2-1 win over D.C. United. They followed with a 5-0 win over Houston, a 0-0 draw in Philadelphia and last weeks 4-2 victory at New England, their first road win since June. Bernier said the turnaround began with a tweak in their formation to a 4-2-3-1, adding a second holding midfielder to give opponents less room to run in the middle of the field. "We were leaving our defence exposed against teams that are athletic and can play one-on-one," he said. "We went back to a formation that was very helpful to us at the end of last year. "Once we had six defending players, it made (opponents) go outside. And we know that with the towers we have in the back (Nesta and Matteo Ferrari), they can cross the ball all day but theyre not going to score that many goals." It started with Bernier and newcomer Hernan Bernardello playing just in front of the defence, but an ankle injury that will shelf the Argentine for four to six weeks gave Collen Warner a chance to get back in the starting 11 last week, although he looked a little rusty. It also gives Bernier a chance to sneak into the attack from the back if there is an opening. The 33-year-old had a pair of goals in New England, although both were on penalties. Di Vaio had the other two using the move that has become his trademark, a quick cut inside to lose the defender and right-footed shot inside the far post. It helps that the whole team looks to have rediscovered its form. "People forgot in June and July very easily how well we were playing in March, April and May," said Bernier. "When you come down to the wire, you see guys that have character, guys that are used to winning and know how to step up their game when you really need it. "We know this could be a special year if we all are together, like we were at the beginning of the season and like we are now." The Impact seem to struggle against Columbus. The Crew got a late goal from Dominic Oduro to grab a 1-1 tie in Montreal on April 14 and beat the Impact 2-0 at home on June 15. But they have been in a rut in recent weeks. After losing eight of 11 games, coach Robert Warzyche was replaced by former Crew player Brian Bliss on Sept. 2. Bliss is 1-1-0 as interim coach, winning 2-0 over Houston and losing 3-0 in Kansas City. Impact captain Davy Arnaud once played under Bliss with Kansas City and liked what he saw. "Hes going to demand that theyre hard to play against," said Arnaud. "The first game he was in charge of, they looked very good at home. Last week it was tough in K.C. for them, but they have players that can be dangerous. "They have a new coach, which will give them some extra motivation. And theyre in a situation where they need to get points to get back in the playoff hunt. So its going to be tough."
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[b]Carolina Hurricanes Gear[/b] . -- The top-seeded Alberta Pandas set up of an all-Canada West final against arch rival UBC at the CIS womens volleyball championship after a 3-0 win over the No.The Calgary Stampeders have signed import defensive lineman Kevin Dixon. Dixon played nine games with the Stamps in 2011, including two starts. He recorded 14 tackles, including two tackles for loss, two sacks and one forced fumble. Dixon attended training camp with the Stampeders in 2013 after missing the entire 2012 season with a knee injury. "Kevin showed great promise as a rookie in 2011 and I know that he has worked extremely hard to get healthy again,&quoot; said Hufnagel.
[b]Hurricanes Jerseys China[/b]. "I look forward to seeing him back on the field at full strength." Prior to joining the Stampeders, Dixon attended training camp with the Seattle Seahawks. "Im proud to be back with the Stampeders," said Dixon. "Im so happy to get another chance to play with the team I started my career with and Im looking forward to getting back on the field again. Im feeling great and Im ready to go." ' ' '
