MONTREAL -- When the Montreal Impact left Thursday morning to start the Major League Soccer season in Dallas, defender Heath Pearce was on the plane. Sebastian Janikowski Jersey . The 29-year-old American international, who is coming off hip surgery and who was released by the New York Red Bulls after the 2013 campaign, has agreed to a contact with the Impact. The length of the deal and his salary were not disclosed. Coach Frank Klopas said this week that if Pearce can regain full fitness, his signing "could end up being a steal." Pearce has played 106 MLS games over the last five seasons, including 100 starts. He has two goals and 12 assists. He also played two seasons each in Germany and Denmark and has been selected 35 times to the U.S. national team. "Hes played in the league and in Europe and he brings a lot of experience," said assistant coach Mauro Biello. "Its someone that understands. He brings leadership. These are all important qualities he can bring to the team." When he is ready to play full games, he will give Klopas options on the back line. Pearce mainly plays left back, a position held last season by Jeb Brovsky, but can also play in the middle and Brovsky can also play on the right side. The Impact open the season Saturday in Dallas and will stay in Texas to play at Houston the following week before returning for their home opener March 22 at Olympic Stadium. "Having played over 100 games in this league, his experience and soccer savvy will bring a lot to the team," sporting director Nick De Santis said in a statement. "He is a natural left back, who will give us more depth on defence and who can contribute to the offence as well. "Heath is highly motivated to get back to the level that saw him on the national team at one point in his career." Pearce became the top signing by the Impact, who made few off-season moves after finishing fifth in the Eastern Conference in 2013. He joined the Impact during training camp in Orlando, Fla. He played parts of two pre-season games and said he is getting close to match fit. The Modesto, Calif. native underwent surgery to repair a torn labrum in his hip in July. The injury had been nagging at him for a couple of seasons before he went to get it fixed. He said he had offers from other MLS clubs, but chose Montreal because he liked Klopas coaching style and felt the Impact were a "multicultured team with a ton of experience." Pearce, a three-time MLS all-star, joined FC Dallas in 2009 and later played for Chivas USA before joining the Red Bulls in 2012. He was a fixture on the U.S. team earlier in his career, especially at the 2009 Confederations Cup and the 2009 Gold Cup, but has been overlooked in recent years. Byron Maxwell Seahawks Jersey ... as usual. Even with the salary cap being set lower than many general managers expected and hoped for at $69 million and whats considered a shallow pool of top-end players available, this unrestricted-free-agent period figures to follow the familiar script of teams bidding up prices to keep up with each other. Will Dissly Seahawks Jersey . The striker headed Spurs into a 35th-minute lead and tapped in their third in the 71st after Chico Flores own goal. Wilfried Bony hit the bar and had a good penalty appeal for a push by Tottenham captain Michael Dawson turned down in the first half, before getting Swanseas consolation late on.HOUSTON - When Case Keenum woke up Wednesday morning, he didnt even realize it was Christmas Eve.Its easy to see why Houstons quarterback hasnt had time to think about the holidays. Instead of visions of sugar plums dancing in his head, hes swimming in play calls, formations and defensive alignments after being plucked off the St. Louis practice squad to start for the Texans.Keenum was released by Houston in training camp when the team traded for Ryan Mallett. But after Mallett, Ryan Fitzpatrick and rookie Tom Savage all went down with injuries, the Texans called on Keenum again.And he delivered, guiding them to a 25-13 win over the Ravens to keep their playoff hopes alive just six days after re-signing with the team. Houston needs a win and losses by both Baltimore and San Diego to clinch a post-season berth.Theres really no normal right now, Keenum said. I cant even believe its Christmas Eve. I havent done a whole lot of shopping in the last few days.Running back Arian Foster said that Keenum was the first person at the facility and the last one to leave every day last week. Keenum wasnt sure exactly how many hours he spent working that week but knows it was a lot.I really dont want to estimate. Id probably count the hours I slept easier, Keenum said.So how many hours did he sleep?It went by too fast, he said. Not enough hours.Coach Bill OBrien was impressed with Keenums poise and the way he led the team Sunday. OBrien said its hard to be thrown into a locker room suddenly and be expected to be a leader.Coming in there andd having the recollection of our schemes that he did was really good, OBrien said. Rasheem Green Seahawks Jersey. When he got into the huddle, he did a good job.It was the first NFL win for Keenum, who lost each of the eight games he started for Houston last season. He was 20 of 42 for 185 yards with an interception against the Ravens.Keenum was excited to return to the Texans in the city where he starred at the University of Houston. He left the school as the NCAAs all-time leader in career total yards (20,114), yards passing (19,217), touchdowns passing (155) and total touchdowns (178).Despite his stellar college career, he went undrafted before being picked up by the Texans.After struggling in his first stint as a starter for the Texans, he is excited to have finally gotten his first NFL win. He said hes received too many well-wishes to count since the victory Sunday.Theyre all special and all mean a lot, he said. I dont play to prove people wrong, although thats nice to do. I play to prove people right that have been in my corner and been supporting me my whole life.Keenum thinks hes been helped by an increased knowledge of defences and how to pick up protections since being released by Houston in August. Hes still a bit in shock at the wild turn his life has taken in the last couple of weeks, but he has a plan to not let the situation overwhelm him.(Its) very crazy, he said. But I try not to pick my head up and look around. ... Just taking it a day at a time.___AP NFL websites: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL Cheap Hawks JerseysCheap Celtics Jerseys Cheap Nets Jerseys Cheap Hornets Jerseys Cheap Bulls Jerseys Cheap Cavaliers Jerseys Cheap Mavericks Jerseys Cheap Nuggets Jerseys Cheap Pistons Jerseys Cheap Warriors Jerseys Cheap Rockets Jerseys Cheap Pacers Jerseys Cheap Clippers Jerseys Cheap Lakers Jerseys Cheap Grizzlies Jerseys ' ' '