Jean-Louis Bessé, Elkana Mayard, Olivier Brett and Hector Contreras have come to an agreement with the Trois-Rivières Attak. In 2008, the Attak will face Toronto FC Academy four times.

"The expectations will be high this season, especially the division title," he said. "With one year of experience in the league, we will be able to give the new players precious advices, which will be an asset compared to last year."

As for them, defenders Elkana Mayard and Olivier Brett have respectively played 25 and 24 games last year.

Mayard, who also scored five goals in 2007, hopes to perform better this season.

"I have enjoyed the experience last year, I am therefore very happy to be back with the team," declared Mayard. "I can't wait for the start of the season. The training camp is positive thus far, we will also have a very good atmosphere this season. Personally, I wish to improve from last year and play better."

Brett is also positive and thinks the new young players will be a good addition to the team.

"The players seem motivated and happy with the group the coach is forming," said Brett. "The new young players will bring energy to the team and the competition for a starting position will surely be positive for the team. I will have to work harder to keep my spot in the starting 11."

Hector Contreras is the second newcomer this season after Michel Vitulano. The 20-year-old midfielder is a former U17 and U20 national team member. Last year, he played for Jean-Talon 2007.

"I am very happy to join a team that had great success in its first season," said Contreras. "I feel comfortable with the players and hopefully I will contribute to the team's successes this year. I can't wait to play the first game of the season."

Players under contract

Ten players are presentely under contract for the 2008 CSL season: François Boivin, Michel Vitulano, Elkana Mayard, Olivier Brett (defenders), Jean-Philippe Étienne, Guillaume Barrette, Hector Contreras (midfielders), Pierre-Rudolph Mayard, Nicolas Lesage and Jean-Louis Bessé (forwards).

Other players at the training camp (or about to join it)

Raphaël Bélanger-Vaillancourt, Julien Latendresse, Andrew Olivieri, Gildas Toufilana (goalkeepers), Ionel Cires, Kirk Hearn, Torben Joneleit, Daniel Kijowski (defenders), Alpha Bah, Ibrahim Baldeh, Christian Kabeya, Gonzalo Paredes, Colin Parenteau Michon, Jeffrey Pereira, Davy Uwimana (midfielders), Kevin Courcelle and Guillaume Héroux (forwards).

Friendly games

In addition to the three games against the Montreal Impact, Marc Dos Santos' men will also face another opponent from the USL, the Vermont Voltage (PDL). The first game will be played at the UQTR stadium on May 10 at 4pm, whereas the other one will be in Vermont on June 25.

2008 regular season calendar

Day	Date	Time	Opponent
Sunday	May 25	4pm	@ Italia Shooters
Saturday	May 31	4pm	vs. St. Catharines Wolves
Friday	June 6	8:45pm	@ LondonCity
Saturday	June 7	7pm	@ Windsor Border Stars
Friday	June 13	8pm	@ TorontoCroatia
Sunday	June 15	3pm	@ North York Astros
Saturday	June 21	4pm	vs. TFCAcademy
Friday	June 27	8pm	@ TFC Academy
Saturday	June 28	4pm	@ TFC Academy
Saturday	July 5	4pm	vs. Italia Shooters
Saturday	July 12	7pm	vs. North York Astros
Friday	July 18	8pm	@ Portugal FC
Sunday	July 20	2:30pm	@ Brampton Lions
Saturday	August 9	4pm	vs. Toronto Croatia
Friday	August 15	8pm	@ Serbian White Eagles
Sunday	August 17	4pm	@ St. Catharines Wolves
Saturday	August 23	4pm	vs. Brampton Lions
Saturday	September 6	4pm	vs. TFC Academy
Saturday	September 13	4pm	vs. Windsor Border Stars
Saturday	September 20	7pm	vs. London City
Saturday	September 27	4pm	vs. Serbian White Eagles
Saturday	October 4	4pm	vs. Portugal FC