for the first time in its history, the montreal impact contracted players to 10 months out of the year in 2008. this extended training camp was a first for the montreal impact and many in the media have stated that it is a move to next level in professional soccer. they began the year at the soccer training centre, soccerplexe catalogna before traveling to italy for more training and three exhibition games against italian clubs. they drew their first match 0–0 against third division arezzo, lost their second match 1–0 against second division frosinone and finally won their third encounter 1–0 against fourth division cassino.