The Montreal Impact appeared to have a real conundrum on their hands with the second leg of their CONCACAF Champions League final against Club América looming this week. Enter Kristian Nicht.
The club announced on Monday the transfer of the veteran goalkeeper from Indy Eleven, of the second-division NASL. Nicht was with Montreal on a short-term loan earlier in 2015 as cover for the Champions League prior to the start of Indy's NASL season.
- CCL PREVIEW: Montreal-Club América, Weds., 8 pm ET
The move comes at a pivotal moment for Montreal. Starting goalkeeper Evan Bush is suspended for Wednesday's finale, and backup 'keeper Eric Kronberg is cup-tied, having appeared in the CCL group stages with Sporting KC last fall.
As a result, Montreal will go with either 3rd stringer John Smits or Nicht for the deciding game of the series, which stands at 1-1 after last week's first leg in Mexico City.
Nicht, 33, played the majority of his career in the German first and second divisions, including stints with Stuttgart Kickers, Alemannia Aachen, and Karlsruher, before making the jump to North America in 2012.
"We are very pleased to acquire an experienced goalkeeper who is having success this season and who has had success in the past," said Impact technical director Adam Braz in a team statement. "We know he will integrate within the group with ease as he's spent a few weeks with us during training camp as well as for games in Mexico and Olympic Stadium."
Following two seasons with the Rochester Rhinos (USL), where he was named Goalkeeper of the Year in 2012, Nicht joined Indy Eleven in 2014, starting 27 regular season games and two US Open Cup matches, as well as serving as team captain.
