MONTREAL -- U.S. assistant men's coach Jesse Marsch has signed a three-year deal to coach the Montreal Impact when the club makes the jump to Major League Soccer next season.

The North American Soccer League team announced the hiring of the 38-year-old former midfielder Wednesday.

Marsch played 14 MLS seasons with three teams before retiring last year. He will take over in time for the 2012 campaign.

Sporting director Nick De Santis has acted as interim coach since Marc Dos Santos was fired 12 games into the season.

De Santis will coach the team for the rest of this season. Marsch will be with the team to evaluate players and prepare for his first head coaching job.



Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press