Marco Terminesi On the Mend; Signs Contract with Montreal Impact

IMS learned Monday that former 2009 Minnesota Thunder player and fan favorite Marco Terminesi has signed a contract with the Montreal Impact that will take him through the 2011 season.

Terminesi had an outstanding year with the Thunder in ’09. The Woodbridge, Ontario player wasn’t signed by the Thunder until late May of last season and didn’t see much play time. But Terminesi who had been voted Rookie of the Year for the defunct Xtreme Indoor Soccer League playing for the Milwaukee Wave, made an impact in the games he played in. He showed a great quickness, overall speed and a quick shot with a nose for the goal. Season ending stats for the Thunder in ’09 showed Terminesi scored a goal in every 90 minutes he played for the team. He played in 17 games for the Thunder, logging in 690 minutes and gathering 16 points with 6 goals and 4 assists.

Terminesi, who had been under contract by the Wave, was placed on the injured reserve list this past winter after he developed a tumor on the pineal gland in the center of his brain. The Canadian was sidelined with debilitating headaches and dizziness. He told IMS last March that he would stay in bed but only get up to play games and practice. But that eventually became too much for the 25-year-old Terminesi. Doctors were conflicted on what was going on with Terminesi but they did rule out surgery. Time seemed to be on his side as symptoms were lessening.

On Tuesday the Montreal Impact announced the signing of Terminesi. “He is a player who did very well in our league last year and adds some depth to our attack,” said Impact technical director Nick De Santis. “He is naturally left-footed, with good offensive and technical skills, and he is very dangerous around the net.”

In the IMS interview, Terminesi showed an optimism and belief that he would get better and be playing again soon. “There’s no doubt I’ll be back doing what I like to do and what I do best,” said a confident Terminesi last March.”  On Wednesday evening the Montreal Impact played the Vancouver Whitecaps at Stade Saputo. Late in the game, Marco Terminesi – also affectionately known as the M-Train – took the field in the 89th minute for the Montreal Impact. It was Marco’s first outdoor appearance in 10 months.

IMS has been in contact with Terminesi and will be conducting an interview with him this weekend. Watch for it on Monday.