We have a schedule!
By: Franck |
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Here is the Montreal Impact’s 2010 USSF Division II regular season schedule:
Home games are in bold:
1. Sunday April 11 @ Austin Aztex
2. Friday April 16 @ Puerto Rico
3. Sunday April 25 VS Portland Timbers
4. Saturday May 1 VS Puerto Rico
5. Sunday May 9 VS NSC Minnesota
6. Saturday May 15 @ Vancouver Whitecaps
7. Wednesday May 19 @ Portland Timbers
8. Sunday May 30 VS Carolina RailHawks
9. Sunday June 6 VS Miami FC Blues
10. Wednesday June 9 @ NSC Minnesota
11. Saturday June 12 @ FC Tampa Bay
12. Sunday June 20 VS Rochester Rhinos
13. Saturday June 26 @ Carolina RailHawks
14. Wednesday June 30 VS Vancouver Whitecaps
15. Saturday July 3 @ Rochester Rhinos
16. Saturday July 10 @ AC St Louis
17. Wednesday July 14 VS Carolina RailHawks
18. Sunday July 18 VS Crystal Palace
19. Wednesday July 21 VS AC St Louis
20. Wednesday July 28 VS Vancouver Whitecaps
21. Saturday July 31 @ Crystal Palace
22. Saturday August 7 @ Carolina RailHawks
23. Wednesday August 11 VS Crystal Palace
24. Saturday August 14 @ Rochester Rhinos
25. Saturday August 21 @ Crystal Palace
26. Friday August 27 VS Rochester Rhinos
27. Saturday September 11 @ Miami FC Blues
28. Sunday September 19 VS FC Tampa Bay
29. Friday September 24 @ Vancouver Whitecaps
30. Sunday October 3 VS Austin Aztex
The playoffs will be held starting the week of October 4. With the top team (points-wise) in each conference will be the top two seeds. The next 6 teams (again, points-wise), will be the remaning playoff teams. The last four will be losers and not make the playoffs. (Predictions can be made in the comments below). All series will be two-game affairs with the winner decided by total aggregate goals.
Add the four Nutrilite Canadian Championship matches:
Wednesday April 28 @ Toronto FC
Wednesday May 5 @ Vancouver Whitecaps
Wednesday May 12 VS Toronto FC
Wednesday May 26 VS Vancouver Whitecaps
And one international friendly:
Saturday September 4 TBD VS Montreal Impact
So, we will face Rochester, Cary, Baltimore and Vancouver four times each, which means we’ll face the Whitecaps a total of 6 times this season. That’s a bit much.
There you have it folks.
Category: Montreal Impact Team News
New signings and new…practice jerseys
By: Franck | 2 Comments
God I hope these are practice jerseys.
When I was told last fall from a member of the Impact’s Front Office that they were considering going with Legea, I figured it would be a good change.
Taking a look at these pictures taken today by Pépé at the training camp at Le Centre Sportif Bell in Brossard, one can see the general direction the jersey style the team has taken.
I really hope the match jerseys are nicer. The collars on the blue jersey are ugly, while the blue stripes on the white one are just as appalling.
As I stated in my title, today the club announced the signing of two new players (the two guys in the bottom photo).
First is Philippe Billy, a 28-year-old French midfielder/right winger who played for Stade Brestois 29 in French Ligue 2 in the 07-08 and 08-09 seasons. He also played for Italian Serie A and B side US Lecce between 2001 to 2006. He’ll be likely competing with Tony Donatelli for a starting position on the right side of the midfield.
Also announced is Helder Filipe Da Costa Soares, better known as Filipe Pastel, a 27-year-old Portuguese offensive midfielder who played in the Portuguese Second Division for the past ten years. He’s expected to take over new San José Earthquake signing Joey Gjersten’s position in the offensive midfield spot.
Hopefully these players will improve our club and give us a fighting chance in the Nutrilite Canadian Championship.
Also, I want to take this opportunity to post a couple of links to two guys who have blogs about the Montreal Impact, one in English and one in French, Steve over at Soccer Montréal and Jeremy over at Onze Montréal, each with their own perspective on footie in Montreal.
Category: Montreal Impact Team NewsWe have a new captain…but it’s hardly a surprise.
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Nevio Pizzolito officially became the team’s 5th captain. Entering his 16th season with the club (remember that he joined the club in 1994 but didn’t play and that he also played for Rochester in 1999 when the Impact decided to not play an outdoor season), he was the logical choice to become captain, despite some other players on the team who have been around for several years and who have the Impact tattooed on their hearts (Testo, Jordan, Di Lorenzo, Braz). He was announced today at the Complexe Sportif Bell, which happens to be the Impact’s training ground, before the Impact’s first training session of 2010.
In other news, although we were expecting to have some player signing announcements, Technical Director Nick De Santis said the signings they were expecting to announce weren’t quite officially finalized, so we have to wait a few more days. They are supposed to be a couple of players who competed at a decent level in Europe. Also, it appears that Roberto Brown is very likely to return to the club this season, possibly his last, as he was seriously considering retirement. Also, De Santis stressed that one of the team’s main goals this year is to win the Nutrilite Canadian Championship in order to make a return to the CONCACAF Champions’ League. So, it should be expected that the players signed are going to be of immediate help in reaching that goal. Furthermore, the team wants to be the first APSL/A-League/USL/NASL 2.0 team to win back-to-back championships. I’d say the team has high goals, as they should. No more messing around. No more no-shows in the Nutrilite.
We have some interesting details about the calendar, thanks to Brian Quarstad over at Inside Minnesota Soccer: Apparently, we will have a 30-game schedule in which there will be 3 geographic groups, or regions. Instead of a more balanced schedule, there will be an economical model in which teams will face their own region more often than the other teams. Each team will face the three other teams in their region 4 times (2 home, 2 away), one other team outside their region 4 times as well (2 home, 2 away). Then each team will face the remaining 7 teams twice (one home, one away).
Our closest geographic rivals are certainly Rochester, Baltimore and Carolina, but it seems hard to be able to balance out every region in a fair way. That being said, I certainly hope we get to play Vancouver 4 times.
This time of the year, I get really excited about stuff like player signings and all, but really, what we’re all waiting for is the move to MLS. We know it’s coming, we also learned today that the government loan for the stadium expansion is done, so hopefully we’ll have some good news at First Kick 2010.
Di Lo back for more!
By: Franck | 2 Comments
And…sigh of relief.
The Impact announced today the re-signing of Argentine midfielder Leonardo Di Lorenzo for the next two seasons, which, as most of us fans know, is a great thing, as he’s one of the core players on the team, as well as being one of the fan favorites. Though he’s not a goalscorer, he does have great technical skill and good vision on the field.
The Impact also announced the signing of midfielder Tyler Hemming, a former TFC player, who last played with the Charleston Battery. In return, Montreal sent forward Pierre-Rudolph Mayard on loan until the end of August. At 21, he can use all the playing time he can get, and a USL-2 side is perfect for him. I guess sending him down to the Impact’s farm team Attak de Trois-Rivières of the Canadian Soccer League wasn’t a good option. I suppose he’s “outgrown” that team. Needless to say, by the time he returns to our lineup, he’ll be able to pitch in and be in top form.
Versatile midfielder/defender Simon Gatti chose to use his player option, and will return with the club this season. The team also released homegrown defender Alex Surprenant, who took part in a single lonely game in 2009.
Category: Montreal Impact Team NewsDamn good news: there will be Division 2 soccer in 2010
By: Franck | 6 Comments
The 2010 Division 2 season has been saved!
From the United States Soccer Federation’s (USSF) offical website, here is the press release:
CHICAGO (Jan. 7, 2009) – The U.S. Soccer Federation, United Soccer Leagues (USL) and the North American Soccer League (NASL) have come to an agreement on the formation and operation of a Division 2 professional soccer league for the 2010 season. Under the agreement, U.S. Soccer will oversee the league for the 2010 season, working with both the USL and NASL on the day-to-day league activities.
The agreement pertains only to the 2010 season, and during the next year U.S. Soccer will continue to work with USL and NASL to build a long-term solution for the future. U.S. Soccer will also be developing new standards to govern Division 2 professional league applicants to ensure the long term viability and sustainability of the leagues and teams.
“We are extremely pleased that we were able to come to a solution that ensures we will have Division 2 professional soccer in the United States in 2010,” said U.S. Soccer President Sunil Gulati. “This agreement allows us to continue to develop the professional game in many important markets around the country, while at the same time working towards the long-term stability of Division 2 professional soccer. I’d like to thank the representatives from both the USL and NASL for the time spent during our negotiations, especially their efforts in the past seven days.”
The league will consist of two six-team conferences – the USL Conference and the NASL Conference. The USL Conference will include teams from Austin, Minnesota, Portland, Puerto Rico, Rochester and Tampa Bay. The NASL Conference will consist of teams from Baltimore, Carolina, Miami, Montreal, St. Louis and Vancouver.
In the near future, U.S. Soccer will announce details of the new league, including league rules, a match schedule, television rights and other important operational issues.
As part of the agreement, all pending claims between the USL and NASL will be dropped.
So it appears all that was needed (!) was compromise.
We end up, for 2010 only, a league with two divisions. Of course, they call them conferences, just to not sound like we have two divisions. That being said, as far as compromises go, I can’t really complain. Not when, as Montreal Impact President Joey Saputo said today:
“The league team owners have now gained control over their destiny, which is very positive for the future of soccer in North America”.
Say what you will, but teams being able to make (most of) their own decisions and not being run by some third party with only a monetary interest in the league is a great leap. Of course, for Montreal, this newborn freedom will only last until we join MLS, at which point we’ll return to some sort of (yet still different) single-entity organization. Still, I’d rather be in Division 1 than Division 2.
In regards to running two conferences, it won’t be two lonely conferences who never face each other; rather, there will be interplay, however; how much is still up in the air. It’s been said that the league is looking at a schedule of between 28 and 34 matches, though Saputo stated 32 is probably most likely.
On another note, we’ve also been assured (by the Canadian Soccer Association) that both the Impact and the Vancouver Whitecaps will participate in the Nutrilite Canadian Championship.
I suppose as far as compromise goes, I guess I can’t complain. We’re getting D2 Footie in 2010, we’re getting the NCC.
Here’s a look at the league, so far called USSF-D2:
At first glance, here are a few notables:
Portland and Vancouver, who are, in relative terms, a stone’s throw away from each other, just as Tampa and Miami, are in different Conferences! Minnesota needs a team name and logo (posted here is the logo of the National Sports Center in Minnesota). Finally, as announced during today’s USSF’s Conference call (read the transcript here), both FC New York and the Atlanta Silverbacks were said to have asked to delay their entry into the league. Both are expected to join in 2011.
Category: Montreal Impact Team NewsHow uncertainty affects our club – The players
By: Franck | 2 Comments
Expanding on the USL/NASL dispute and yesterday’s USSF decision to not sanction either USL or NASL, we take a look at how at this point in time, the uncertainly surrounding the 2010 season will have an effect on the Montreal Impact. Today, I wanted to express how the possibility of not having D2 footie in North America next year will have on our club’s roster.
Inside Minnesota Soccer’s Brian Quarstad spoke on a Set Piece Analysts round table discussion about how players are uncertain to sign with teams involved with the dispute. As he puts it, players are being offered contracts by the clubs, but aren’t always signing them. With careers being short enough as it is for players at this level, the possibility of losing a year is certainly weighing in on their decision.
For the Impact, this situation could potentially be hurtful: Take into consideration the number of players who are free agents: as it stands, we have six unsigned players: Roberto Brown, Joey Gjertsen, Leonardo Di Lorenzo, Simon Gatti, Alex Surprenant and Ciaran O’Brien.
Brown has stated that he would consider his future now that he has a family. He might also be tempted to stay in his native Panama now that he’s won the USL Championship with Montreal. With the ongoing uncertainty, the Impact shouldn’t expect him to be in a hurry to resign, nor should they expect him to resign at all. His departure would create a bit of a gap up front, though Eduardo Sebrango could replace him at the cost of some technical skill, though with a bit more mobility than Brown.
Gjersten came off a pretty disappointing season, as the front office expected a bit more out of the offensive midfielder. Amidst reports that Gjertsen would be looking for a move back to the west side of the continent (he’s from Washington State), it seems at least a possibility that the Impact could let him go.
The Impact stand to lose the most should Leonardo Di Lorenzo depart. He’s easily one of the club’s most skilled players, and been a linchpin on the offensive side in the four seasons he’s been a part of the franchise. He’s also a fan favorite. At 28, he’s in his prime, and the word on the street is that MLS clubs are interested in his services. He also seemed to play his heart our last summer in a friendly against his countrymen from Argentine giants River Plate. Could he be looking for a shot with a club in the Argentine Primera? His skill level may not be adequate for some of the bigger clubs, but perhaps his experience could provide some support for a smaller D1 team.
Gatti actually has a player option on this season. With uncertainty still looming, the versatile player could look for another team. However, he doesn’t have the options other foreign players have, while a move to the CSL or USL-2 don’t seem to be viable options for a player with his experience and skill. One would expect him to wait this out and see.
Surprenant, at 20 years old, could potentially play in the Impact’s farm club, Trois-Rivières Attak of the Canadian Soccer League again next year, though many believe the time is right to give him a role with Montreal. Where exactly he would fit in, however, is another question. With 3 strong central defenders in Nevio Pizzolito, Cédric Joqueviel and Stefano Pesoli and with Adam Braz and Stephen deRoux as laterals, he’d be warming the bench more often then none, as will Hicham Aaboubou , who recently reseigned with the club.
Finally, O’Brien. He’s on loan from MLS side Colorado Rapids, and he could be recalled at any moment. He was used in Montreal mostly when things were going bad, however as the team improved, he was more and more marginalized. He didn’t play at all during the USL playoffs. Should the Impact not field a team, he could just as easily reintegrate the Rapids system.
We could also add Tony Donatelli, who has one year remaining on his contract, but there has been hints that he would like to join MLS expansion side Philadelphia Union since he’s from Pennsylvania. Should the Impact fail to play in 2010, they might as well grant his request.
Category: Montreal Impact Team NewsNUASSLL
By: Franck | Add Comments
NEW HASSLE (NUASSLL): That’s what you get when you force two leagues to get along and play nice.
Yesterday, the United States Soccer Federation (USSF) came out with their verdict on the USL-NASL dispute: neither league gets sanctioned unless they work it out together. Oh, and by the way, they have only 7 days to do it.
Nitfy.
The pundits are saying all sorts of things of interest, such as the USSF’s ruling was made to keep MLS’ interests intact while the league and players’ union are in a dispute. This unsanctionning would be to provide no alternative for the MLS players in case of a lockout.
Either way, what it boils down to for the Montreal Impact and the Vancouver Whitecaps is either play in an unsanctioned league and forget the chance of playing in the CONCACAF Champions League, or forget league play but have the chance to compete in the Nutrilite Canadian Championship and potentially the CCL. Now only compromise can save the day.
Guys, don’t fuck this up. We want footie in 2010.
Category: Montreal Impact Team NewsMy Montreal Impact 2009 Xmas Wishlist
By: Franck | 2 Comments
Since Xmas is just around the corner, literally, tomorrow, I figured I’d share my Montreal Impact 2009 Xmas Wishlist with everyone.
First of all, I’d like to know in the name of Baby Jesus in which league we’re going to play in for the 2010 season. No more speculation on whether it’s gonna be NASL or USL, no more wondering who’s gonna be in our league, just a clear idea of who what where when and how, so I can get my season tickets and then wait for the season to start.
Next, I’d like a clear confiormation from Joey Saputo and Don Garber that we’re in MLS - and that we’ll start in 2012. I’d also like to see a construction crew (yes, in december, and yes, despite the snow) on site at Stade Saputo building a new west grandstand.
Finally, I want a decent signing. As the Vancouver Whitecaps are filling in the gaps by signing USL talent such as Ricardo Sanchez and Jonny Steele and so forth, so far we’ve been blessed with little more than holiday wishes. we could use some help in the midfield, you know, maybe on the right side, a little on the offensive side. Even when you’re the Champ, it couldn’t hurt to have some help.
And as a stocking stuffer, I wouldn’t mind a logo re-design (I could wait for an MLS announcement for this), as well as a new jersey designer.
Really, is any of this too much to ask?
Category: Montreal Impact Team News2009: a look back
By: Franck | 11 Comments
Impact 2009 recap
Januray 6: Gabriel Gervais retires. Although it didn’t come as a major surprise due to his injuries, it was felt that a player who had been league defender of the year on several occasions was leaving a vacant spot. Fortunately, with players such as Stefano Pesoli and Cédric Joqueviel ready to step up in his place, there was hope that the D-line wouldn’t suffer too much in 2009.
February 1-12: The Impact travel to Italy to train for the season. In the process, they tie Serie B Pisa.
February 25: In front of 55,571 fans at the Olympic Stadium, the Impact defeat Santos Laguna 2-0 in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League Quarterfinals. The team is positively soaring.
March 5: In the return leg of the CONCACAF Champions League Quarterfinals, the Impact blow it in Torreon, Coahuila, falling 5-4 on aggregate to Santos Laguna. Leading 4-1 at the half, the Impact give up four goals, including two to Colombian U-20 International Carlos Darwin Quintero in extra time. The team, and its fans, are crushed.
Read the rest of this entry »
Category: Montreal Impact Team NewsMauro Biello: 1993-2009
By: Franck | 2 Comments
Friends, Mauro Biello has officially called it quits. After 19 seasons of professional footy in Montreal, the Montreal Impact captain has decided to retire and take up a position as head coach Marc Dos Santos‘ assistant.
429 Games played, 90 goals, 73 assists, good for 253 points…and only one ejection. Other stats include three league championships (1994, 2004 and 2009), five regular season championships (1995, 1996, 1997, 2005 and 2006), seven Voyageur Cups (2002-2008) and the US Open Cup with Rochester in 1999. Biello won the Giuseppe Saputo Trophy awarded to the Impact team’s MVP four times (1997, 1998, 2001 and 2005). He was also selected on five occasions to the All-League First team (1997, 1998, 1999, 2004 and 2005) and once in the All-League Second team (2002).
Drafted by the Montreal Supra, he played with them for two seasons in 1991 and 1992 before joining the newly-created Montreal Impact. He was the last active player to have been part of the inaugural season in 1993.
Having met him once or twice, I have to say that he’s quite the gentleman. Thanks Mauro for all you’ve done for the sport in Québec. You’ve paved the way for many Montrealers and Quebeckers and shown just what it means to represent the Montreal Impact with honor and dignity!
Category: Montreal Impact Team News
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