“Thursday’s loss in Mexico was very tough to accept but losing is also part of sports. We came so close to moving on to the semifinal,” said Impact president Joey Saputo. “The team’s advancement in the Champions League was amazing for the notoriety of the club and it was very positive for soccer in Quebec and Canada. We have to be proud of what we have accomplished. We will do everything we can to qualify again in 2009.”
“On February 25, the 55,571 soccer fans showed again that soccer is well and alive in Montreal and Quebec,” added Joey Saputo. “I want to thank once again all our supporters who made that night a historical moment for the club.”
“This tournament was a great experience for all the players and coaching staff,” noted Impact technical director Nick De Santis. “We proved to a lot of people that the Impact is a team that is part of the North American soccer elite. I think that everybody will learn from this loss in Mexico and the team will come out better in the future.”
The Impact will be back to training Tuesday morning at Catalogna Soccerplexe. The Montreal team will kick off the 2009 season April 18 in Charleston, and will then play its home opener at Saputo Stadium May 9 against the Rochester Rhinos.
In 2009, the Impact will once again have the chance to represent Canada in the CONCACAF Champions League, by playing in the second edition of the Nutrilite Canadian Championship against Toronto FC (May 13, in Toronto, and June 17, decisive game in Montreal) and the Vancouver Whitecaps (May 20, in Montreal, and May 27, in Vancouver).
IMPORTANT DATES
• July 22, 2008: The Impact wins the Nutrilite Canadian Championship following a 1-1 draw against Toronto, thereby advancing to the CONCACAF Champions League.
• September 2, 2008: With a 0-0 draw in Honduras against Real Estelí FC, the Impact beats the Nicaraguan team 1-0 in aggregate goals and advances to the group phase.
• October 21, 2008: The Impact qualifies for the quarterfinal round with a 1-1 tie against CD Olimpia, at Saputo Stadium, guaranteeing a second spot in Group C.
• January 8, 2009: The announcement of a new opening protocol at Olympic Stadium in winter will allow the Impact to play its quarterfinal game on February 25. The Impact sets a sales objective of 30, 000 tickets.
• February 25, 2009: The Impact wins the first game of the quarterfinal series 2-0 in front of 55,571 spectators at Olympic Stadium, establishing a new CONCACAF attendance record.
• March 5, 2009: The Impact loses 5-2 in Mexico, after conceding two goals in stoppage time, and is eliminated by Santos Laguna 5-4 on aggregates.
A FEW NUMBERS
Record: 5-2-3, 15 GF – 10 GA
At home: 3-0-2, 6 GF – 1 GA
Away: 2-2-1, 9 GF – 9 GA
Total home crowd : 97,384 spectators
Average attendance: 19,477 spectators
Biggest crowd: 55,571 spectators
THE LEADERS
Games played: Joey Gjertsen and Leonardo Di Lorenzo (10)
Games started: Joey Gjertsen and Leonardo Di Lorenzo (10)
Minutes played: Leonardo Di Lorenzo (900)
Goals: Roberto Brown (4)
Wins: Matt Jordan (5)
Shutouts : Matt Jordan (5)
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Source: Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info: 514-328-3668 (ext. 227)
