Montreal will join Major League Soccer as its 19th team in 2012. The team, announced at a news conference Friday, will be owned by the Saputo family, which currently runs the Montreal Impact of the U.S. Soccer Federation D-2 Pro League. It will play mostly in Saputo Stadium, which is to undergo about $23 million Canadian in renovations and have a 20,000-seat capacity. http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/soccer/news/story?id=5170713
Re: MLS to play in Montreal in 2012 Great news, Montreal is a damn good city, I was there last month for 2 days.
Re: MLS to play in Montreal in 2012 Impact de Montréal - MLS 2012, projet d'expansion The stadium expansion will be completed the winter of 2012. The Quebec provenical government will fund the majority of the renovations. Stadium Expansion Project
Re: MLS to play in Montreal in 2012 they will play the big money games at Olympic Stadium across the plaza they had 47,000 last weekend for the ACM game
Re: MLS to play in Montreal in 2012 Impact to Face MLS Teams in Preseason MONTREAL - The Montreal Impact unveiled Wednesday the details of its three exhibition games versus Major League Soccer (MLS) clubs, as part of a two-week preseason tour at the Grande Sports World Complex, located roughly 50 km south of Phoenix, from February 20 to March 4. The Impact will first take on the Portland Timbers, a club that is joining MLS in 2011, on February 23. Three days later, Montreal will play Sporting Kansas City, before wrapping up its exhibition schedule in the United States with a match versus FC Dallas, a finalist in last year's MLS Cup, on March 2, at the Reach 11 Sports Complex. The Impact kicks off its 18th training camp in club history on February 7, at the Bell Sports Complex in Brossard, in preparation for its final season in North America's second division, before joining MLS in 2012. Upon returning from Arizona, the team will benefit from a full week of rest before resuming daily training sessions in Brossard, Monday, March 14, for the final phase of preparation. 2011 PRESEASON SCHEDULE January 24 to 28: Invitational training camp February 1: Start of medical and physical test February 7: Start of on-field training February 20: Departure from Phoenix February 23: IMPACT VS PORTLAND February 26: IMPACT VS KANSAS CITY March 2: IMPACT VS DALLAS http://www.nasl.com/article/impact-to-face-mls-teams-in-preseason
Re: MLS to play in Montreal in 2012 THE IMPACT UNVEILS ITS 2011 SCHEDULE 1-Saturday, April 9 @ Tampa Bay 2-Saturday, April 16 @ Carolina 3-Saturday, April 23 vs Tampa Bay (2:30pm) 4-Sunday, May 1 @ Edmonton 5-Saturday, May 14 vs Carolina (2:30pm) 6-Saturday, May 21 @ Tampa Bay 7-Saturday, May 28 @ Miami FC/Strikers 2011 8-Saturday, June 4 vs Edmonton (2:30pm) 9-Wednesday, June 8 @ Atlanta 10-Sunday, June 12 @ Puerto Rico 11-Saturday, June 18 vs Miami FC/Strikers 2011 (2:30pm) 12-Sunday, June 26 @ Edmonton 13-Wednesday, June 29 vs Puerto Rico (7:30pm) 14-Sunday, July 3 @ Carolina 15-Wednesday, July 13 vs Miami FC/Strikers (7:30pm) 16-Sunday, July 17 vs Atlanta (3:30pm) 17-Friday, July 22 @ Minnesota 18-Sunday, July 31 vs Puerto Rico (2:30pm) 19-Saturday, August 6 vs Minnesota (7:30pm) 20-Wednesday, August 10 vs Tampa Bay (7:30pm) 21-Sunday, August 14 vs Atlanta (6pm) 22-Saturday, August 20 vs Minnesota (2:30pm) 23-Saturday, August 27 @ Minnesota 24-Saturday, September 3 @ Miami FC/Strikers 2011 25-Wednesday, September 7 @ Puerto Rico 26-Sunday, September 11 vs Carolina (3:30pm) 27-Saturday, September 17 vs Edmonton (7:30pm) 28-Saturday, September 24 @ Atlanta *Subject to change
Re: MLS to play in Montreal in 2012 The Impact consolidates its development pyramid MONTREAL – With just 16 months from a debut in Major League Soccer (MLS), the Montreal Impact announced on Wednesday a unique player development structure in Canada with the creation of three new youth teams (U14, U15, and U16) as part of its Academy, as well as the founding of a sport-études program in partnership with Édouard-Montpetit high school, which is part of the Commission scolaire de Montréal. These three teams, made up of over 70 new players, will complement the U21 reserve team which is already in place. “This is a very special day in the history of the Montreal Impact,” said Impact and Saputo Stadium president Joey Saputo. “With the addition of these three teams and the founding of the sport-études program, we are putting a unique structure in place that will guarantee the development of local players for our club. It is a substantial and necessary investment to better develop our future. We will put all the necessary resources at the players’ disposal, for both human and professional growth. We are proud to be partners with Édouard-Montpetit, an institution that is at the forefront of academics and sport.” http://www.montrealimpact.com/News/News.aspx?language=EN&ArticleID=1519&Focus=0
Re: MLS to play in Montreal in 2012 I remember making the trek from the Olympic Village down that massive concrete walkway to the Big O for Expo's games years ago. Probably made that walk fifty times each way. Great to see the old field getting renovated into the new stadium. Even though the Big O is in a bit of disrepair the whole area still looks good in general. Plus the city is fucking cool.
Re: MLS to play in Montreal in 2012 Matt Jordan moves into Impact's front office Former MLS goalkeeping star officially announces his retirement NEW YORK – A former MLS goalkeeping star officially hung up his boots on Monday, but he will still be very much in position to make league history. Former Dallas and Columbus netminder Matt Jordan (pictured above, middle) surprisingly announced his retirement at Montreal Impact headquarters following a 13-year career. He will now move into the Impact’s front office as the club prepares for its first MLS expansion season in 2012. The 35-year-old Jordan will become the new director of soccer operations in Montreal, where he arguably left his most lasting legacy as a player. "Of all the teams that I have played for in my career, my time here in Montreal has been the most rewarding," Jordan said in a club statement. "I'm extremely proud of what we have been able to accomplish in the last four years.” As director of soccer operations, Jordan will serve as chief assistant of new sporting director Nick De Santis. He will be responsible for working with the MLS league office on all player personnel matters. Jordan’s MLS career was off to a promising start when Dallas made him the 10th overall draft pick in 1998. After biding his time as a rookie, he assumed the starting goalkeeper job in Dallas in 1999, earning an MLS All-Star selection to the tune of a 1.08 goals-against average. Jordan maintained his stranglehold on the position through the 2002 season, after which he tried his luck overseas http://www.mlssoccer.com/news/article/matt-jordan-moves-impacts-front-office
Re: MLS to play in Montreal in 2012 Impact adds French midfielder Hassoun Camara Just a few hours from the start of training camp, the Montreal Impact announced on Monday the signing of French midfielder Hassoun Camara. Camara, a defensive midfielder who just turned 27 on February 3, was invited to take part in the club’s pre-camp held from January 24 to 28. Camara has played 43 league games in France’s Ligue 2 with SC Bastia, from 2008 to 2010. Previously, he played in the CFA (4th division) with Noisy-le-Sec from 2003 to 2006. He also had a stint in the first division with l'Olympique de Marseille, from 2006 to 2008, but played only one cup game. “Camara is a versatile player, who can also play as a center back,” said Impact sporting director Nick De Santis. “He has played at a very high level and has a bucket full of experience. He joins the Impact at a good age and will continue to improve with us. We hope he will adapt well to the North American game.” http://www.nasl.com/article/impact-add-camara
Re: MLS to play in Montreal in 2012 Impact Sign Bill Gaudette The Montreal Impact announced on Saturday the signing of American goalkeeper Bill Gaudette for the 2011 season. Gaudette, a 29-year-old American originally from Pennsylvania, wore the colours of the Puerto Rico Islanders over the last three seasons. In 2010, he took the Islanders to its first ever playoff championship, defeating the Carolina RailHawks in the final. “We wanted a top level goalkeeper that had experience in our league and is capable of filling the void left by the retirement of Matt Jordan,” said sporting director Nick De Santis. “He did really well for the Islanders, taking them all the way to the championship. At 29, he is a player with personality, leadership and the potential to continue improving his game. We hope he will carry on the tradition we have here of great goalkeeping.” In 2008, his first season with the Islanders, he helped Puerto Rico win the regular season championship and was named the league’s goalkeeper of the year. Gaudette also led the Islanders to the semi-final round of the CONCACAF Champions League tournament in 2009. He was a first round selection (9th overall) by the Columbus Crew in the 2005 Major League Soccer (MLS) draft, playing 17 games with the Crew during the 2006 and 2007 campaigns. Before going pro, Gaudette played at the university level for St. John’s, where he amassed a 43-13-12 record. Over that same period, he donned the jersey of the Brooklyn Knights of the Premier Development League (PDL). Gaudette, who is now the 19th player under contract with the Impact for the 2011 season in the NASL, will travel with the team to Phoenix, Arizona. http://www.nasl.com/article/impact-sign-bill-gaudette
Re: MLS to play in Montreal in 2012 Sporting KC Beats Impact CASA GRANDE, Arizona – In its second pre-season game in Arizona against Major League Soccer (MLS) clubs, the Montreal Impact was shut out 2-0 by Sporting Kansas City, Saturday afternoon, at Casa Grande’s soccer complex, in Arizona. Kansas City opened the scoring in the 17th minute. In an effort to intercept a cross in the air from midfielder Stephane Auvray, team captain Nevio Pizzolitto deflected the ball over Impact goalkeeper Bill Gaudette. KC doubled its lead off of a penalty shot in the 73rd minute. Forward CJ Sapong, who was fouled a few seconds prior in the 18-yard box, beat the second half goalkeeper Evan Bush, who is on a tryout with the Impact. “We played a really good opponent, that moved the ball really well, but they won the game without really getting good scoring chances. Both goals came out of nowhere,” said Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. “Defensively, we were solid, but we have to take better decisions in the third of the field.” http://www.nasl.com/article/sporting-kc-beats-impact
Re: MLS to play in Montreal in 2012 IMPACT 0 PORTLAND 1 CASA GRANDE, Arizona – In its first exhibition match against MLS clubs in Arizona, the Montreal Impact was defeated 1-0 by the Portland Timbers, Wednesday, at the Grande Sports World Complex, in Casa Grande, near Phoenix, Arizona. The game’s only goal was scored early on. In the 7th minute of play, forward Eddie Johnson deflected a cross from Roberto Merino with his head. Near the far post in the six-yard box, Johnson beat goalkeeper Evan Bush to the opposite side. http://www.montrealimpact.com/News/News.aspx?language=EN&ArticleID=1562&Focus=0
Re: MLS to play in Montreal in 2012 IMPACT 3 DALLAS 0 PHOENIX, Arizona – The Montreal Impact concluded its training camp in Arizona with a 3-0 shutout victory over FC Dallas, last season’s MLS playoff runners-up, Wednesday, at Reach 11 Complex, near Phoenix. Ali Gerba (21st minute), Luke Kreamalmeyer (53rd minute) and Idriss Ech Chergui (76th minute) scored the three goals in the club’s first win against Major Soccer League competition. Goalkeepers Bill Gaudette and Evan Bush shared the shutout. “We got the feeling that in the first two games, we made a few mistakes that cost us the victory. We were close to getting a good result,” said Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. “We deserved to return home on a good note. The team was rewarded tonight as a result of all their hard work in camp.” http://www.impactmontreal.com/News/News.aspx?language=EN
Re: MLS to play in Montreal in 2012 MONTREAL – With a year to go before joining Major League Soccer (MLS), the Montreal Impact unveiled Wednesday the detailed plans for the expansion of the Saputo Stadium, with the stadium increasing from 13,034 to 20,341 seats. More than 7,000 seats will be added to the current stadium: 3,500 seats in a new West grandstand, 1,250 additional seats in the Southeast and Southwest grandstands (corners), as well as 1,000 additional seats in the East grandstand. Among the most notable changes, a roof will hang over the upper rows of each grandstand, for a total of 6,948 covered seats. The roof will therefore cover a third of all seats, making the new Saputo Stadium a covered, open-air stadium. “Today, we are presenting you a major league stadium for a major league city,” declared Joey Saputo president of the Montreal Impact and the Saputo Stadium. “This is a major step forward for soccer in Montreal and Quebec. This stadium will remain the main rallying point for soccer in the province. In 2012, all our season ticket holders will be able to find their place at Saputo Stadium in 2012. I would like to thank my family and the Quebec government for their involvement and continued support in this project.” http://www.impactmontreal.com/News/News.aspx?language=EN&ArticleID=1567 the blue area is new seating
