Montreal Impact
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| Full name |
Montreal Impact (English) Impact de Montréal (French) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Founded | 2010[nb 1] | |||
| Stadium |
Saputo Stadium Montreal, Quebec | |||
| Stadium capacity | 20,521[1] | |||
| Owner | Joey Saputo | |||
| Head Coach | Frank Klopas | |||
| League | Major League Soccer | |||
| 2014 |
Eastern Conference: 5th Overall: 11th Playoffs: Knockout round | |||
| Website | Club home page | |||
| ||||
 Current season | ||||
The Montreal Impact (French: Impact de Montréal) is a Canadian professional soccer team based in Montreal, Quebec that competes in Major League Soccer (MLS). The Impact began playing in 2012 as MLS' 19th franchise and third Canadian club; they replaced the second division team of same name. The Impact are run by the former Impact's ownership group, led by owner Joey Saputo.
History
Toward the end of 2007, much speculation had been made about a possible franchise move for the lower division Impact to Major League Soccer. The construction of the expandable Saputo Stadium further suggested an interest on the part of the group to move up to the top level North American league. Although Toronto FC held a three-year Canadian exclusivity deal that did not expire until 2009, they stated in March 2008 that they would gladly welcome the Impact into MLS.[2] Chairman Joey Saputo held talks with George Gillett (former co-owner of Liverpool F.C. and former owner of the Montreal Canadiens) regarding possible joint ownership of a franchise.[3] On July 24, 2008, MLS announced they were seeking to add two expansion teams for the 2011 season, of which Montreal was listed as a potential candidate.[4]
On November 22, 2008, the group's bid for an MLS franchise was not retained by commissioner Don Garber. In response to Vancouver's successful bid in March 2009, Impact GM Nick De Santis commented that he expected chairman Saputo to pursue and ultimately realize his vision of Montreal as an MLS franchise someday.[5] By May 16, 2009, the Montreal Gazette reported Garber and Saputo had resumed talks for an expansion team to begin play in 2011.[6]
On May 7, 2010, Garber and Saputo officially announced Montreal as the nineteenth club in Major League Soccer, set to begin play for the 2012 season.[7] The MLS franchise is privately owned by the Saputo family.[8]
On June 14, 2011, the Montreal Impact announced a five-year agreement with the Bank of Montreal to become their lead sponsor and jersey sponsor in MLS.[9]
On March 10, 2012, the Impact played their first-ever MLS game, a 2-0 loss against the Vancouver Whitecaps FC.[10] A week later, the team made its home debut at the Olympic Stadium, playing to a 1-1 draw with the Chicago Fire; the match attracted 58,912 spectators, surpassing the previous record for professional soccer in Montreal established in a 1981 Montreal Manic home game (58,542).[11] On May 12, 2012, the Impact played in front of a crowd of 60,860 spectators during a game against the Los Angeles Galaxy, establishing a record attendance for a professional soccer match in Canada.[12]
On February 23, 2013, Montreal won the 2013 Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic, beating Columbus Crew 1-0 in the final. This minor trophy was followed by the Impact's taking of the 2013 Canadian Championship on May 29, their first since the start in MLS (and second under the modern format).[13] This victory also gave the Impact its 8th Voyageurs Cup.
Team name and logo
In regards to keeping the name "Impact," Montreal stated its intention "to maintain its name and global team image." The official logo for the team was revealed at the start of a match between the NASL Montreal Impact team and the NSC Minnesota Stars on August 6, 2011.[14][15][16][17][18]
The logo is a shield in blue, black, white and silver containing a stylized fleur-de-lis and four silver stars, overlaid with the Impact wordmark. The fleur-de-lis, which also appeared on the logo of the NASL Impact team, is a globally recognized symbol of French heritage, and features prominently on the flag of Quebec as a reflection of Québécois culture. The four stars represent the four founding communities of Montreal identified on the city's coat of arms.
Club Culture
Supporters group
Impact's main supporters group is called Ultras Montréal, also known as UM02, and was founded in 2002. They follow the Impact on away games against New York Red Bulls, Philadelphia Union, New England Revolution, DC United and Toronto FC. 127 Montréal was formed in 2011 who follow the Impact on occasional away games.Montreal Impact Supporters Association was created in 2011 to better facilitate the relations between the Club and the Supporters Groups, to promote the supporters culture, and to help with the financing of different supporter group initiatives.
Rivalries
Montreal Impact's biggest rival is Toronto FC due to Canada's two largest cities having shared multiple rivalries both in and out of sport. Montreal and Toronto professional soccer teams have competed against each other for over 40 years. From the original NASL, as well as the Canadian Soccer League and the A-League, the rivalry has continued throughout various leagues they have played up until the past few years where both cities would still regularly meet for the Canadian Championships. Now that both teams are in MLS, the rivalry has intensified.
Montreal Impact Academy
Montreal Impact Academy is the youth academy and development system of the Montreal Impact and was established in 2010. The academy currently consists of various teams, from U8 to U23. The U23 team competes in the USL Premier Development League, the forth tier of the Canadian soccer pyramid and the U18 and U16 teams both compete in the U.S. Soccer Development Academy. [19]
Stadium
Montreal play its home games at Saputo Stadium, built for the second division Impact but designed with expansion in mind anticipating a move to MLS. The Quebec government announced $23 million funding to expand to more than 20,000 and to build a training field with a synthetic turf next door.[8]
The Impact had hoped Saputo Stadium expansion would be finished in time for the start of the 2012 MLS season, but it was announced on July 17, 2011 that the expansion would be delayed. As a consequence, the neighbouring Olympic Stadium was used for the Impact's first six home dates (5 MLS Regular Season, 1 Canadian Championship)[20] The Impact's first MLS game at Saputo Stadium was played on June 16, 2012, a 4-1 win over Seattle.[21]
Though Saputo Stadium serves as the Impact's regular home, Olympic Stadium will also be used for special events which demand a larger capacity or more favourable playing conditions (e.g. the team's home opener, the MLS All-Star Game, playoff games, or fall/winter international games).[22]
Home stadium
- Saputo Stadium; Montreal, Quebec (2012–present)
Other stadiums
- Olympic Stadium, Montreal, Quebec (2012: 5 MLS games and 1 Canadian Championship, 2013: 2 MLS games)
Broadcasting
TVA Sports serves as the official French-language broadcaster of all Impact games not broadcast as a part of MLS' contract with the TSN family of networks (which includes French-language sports channel RDS). TVA Sports aired 24 games during the team's inaugural season.[23]
TSN 690 serves as the English-language radio flagship of the Impact.[24] Rick Moffat and Brian Wilde will share play by play duties while colour commentary will come from former Montreal Impact player Grant Needham. TSN 690's contract run's until the end of the 2016 season, with an option for the 2017 season.
Players and staff
Current roster
Where a player has not declared an international allegiance, nation is determined by place of birth. Squad correct as of February 6, 2014.[25]
(*) Unsigned 2014 MLS SuperDraft pick
- also see All-time Montreal Impact roster
Notable former players
This list of former players includes those who received international caps while playing for the team, made significant contributions to the team in terms of appearances or goals while playing for the team, or who made significant contributions to the sport either before they played for the team, or after they left. It is clearly not yet complete and all inclusive, and additions and refinements will continue to be made over time.
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- See also: All-time Montreal Impact (MLS) roster
Retired numbers
12 - Club Supporters (the 12th Man)
20 - 
Mauro Biello, forward (1993–98, 2000–09)
Staff
Management
- Sporting Director — Nick De Santis
- Technical Director —
Matt Jordan[26] - Director, Montreal Impact Academy —
Philippe Eullaffroy - Head Coach & Director of Player Personnel — Frank Klopas[27]
- Assistant Coach — Mauro Biello[28]
- Assistant Coach —
Nikos Kounenakis[29] - Goalkeeping Coach —
Youssef Dahha - Physical Preparation Coach — Paolo Pacione
- Team Manager — Adam Braz
- Team Administrator — Daniel Pozzi
- Equipment Coordinator — Remy Eyckerman
- Equipment Manager — Aldo Ricciuti
- Players Service —
Bradley Adam Smith
Administration staff
- Executive VP of the Impact and the Saputo Stadium — Richard Legendre
Head coaching history
- Nick De Santis (interim) (June 28, 2011 – 30 September 11)
- Jesse Marsch (October 1, 2011 – 3 November 12)
- Mauro Biello (interim) (November 5, 2012 – 6 January 13)
Marco Schällibaum (January 7, 2013– 18 December 2013)- Frank Klopas (December 18, 2013–)
Honours
- National trophies
- Canadian Championship (awarded the Voyageurs Cup)
- Winners (1): 2013
- Minor trophies
- Winners (1): 2013
Record
Year-by-year
| Year | MLS Regular season | Position | MLS Cup Playoffs |
Canadian Championship |
Champions League |
Top Scorer | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | W | L | D | GF | GA | Pts | Conf. | Overall | Player | Goals | |||||
| 2012 | 34 | 12 | 16 | 6 | 45 | 51 | 42 | 7th | 12th | DNQ | Semi-Finals | DNQ | Patrice Bernier |
9 | |
| 2013 | 34 | 14 | 12 | 8 | 50 | 49 | 49 | 5th | 11th | Knockout Round | Champions | Group Stage |  Marco Di Vaio |
20 | |
Note: Only MLS regular season goals counted
DNQ = Did Not Qualify
Top goalscorers
| # | Pos. | Name | Nation | Career | MLS | Playoffs | CC | CCL | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Forward | Di Vaio, MarcoMarco Di Vaio | Italy |
2012– | 25 | – | 2 | – | 27 |
| 2 | Midfielder | Bernier, PatricePatrice Bernier | Canada |
2012– | 13 | – | – | – | 13 |
| 3 | Midfielder | , FelipeFelipe |  Brazil |
2012– | 9 | – | 1 | – | 10 |
| 4 | Midfielder | Nyassi, SannaSanna Nyassi |  Gambia |
2012– | 7 | – | – | – | 7 |
| Forward | Wenger, AndrewAndrew Wenger | United States |
2012– | 5 | – | 1 | 1 | 7 | |
| 6 | Defender | Camara, HassounHassoun Camara | France |
2012– | 4 | – | 1 | 1 | 6 |
| 7 | Midfielder | Arnaud, DavyDavy Arnaud | United States |
2012–2013 | 5 | – | – | – | 5 |
| Midfielder | Mapp, JustinJustin Mapp | United States |
2012– | 4 | – | 1 | – | 5 | |
| 9 | Forward | Corradi, BernardoBernardo Corradi | Italy |
2012 | 4 | – | – | – | 4 |
| Forward | Paponi, DanieleDaniele Paponi | Italy |
2013 | 2 | – | 1 | 1 | 4 |
Last updated: December 19, 2013.
CC = Canadian Championship; CCL = CONCACAF Champions League
Bolded players are currently on the Montreal Impact roster.
Top Assists
| # | Pos. | Name | Nation | Career | MLS | Playoffs | CC | CCL | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Midfielder | , FelipeFelipe | Brazil |
2012– | 18 | – | – | – | 18 |
| 2 | Midfielder | Bernier, PatricePatrice Bernier | Canada |
2012– | 16 | – | – | – | 16 |
| 3 | Midfielder | Mapp, JustinJustin Mapp | United States |
2012– | 13 | – | 2 | – | 15 |
| 4 | Midfielder | Arnaud, DavyDavy Arnaud | United States |
2012–2013 | 8 | – | – | – | 8 |
| 5 | Forward | Di Vaio, MarcoMarco Di Vaio | Italy |
2012– | 5 | – | 2 | – | 7 |
| 6 | Defender | Camara, HassounHassoun Camara | France |
2012– | 5 | – | – | – | 5 |
| 7 | Midfielder | Nyassi, SannaSanna Nyassi | Gambia |
2012– | 4 | – | – | – | 4 |
| 8 | Defender | Brovsky, JebJeb Brovsky | United States |
2012– | 3 | – | – | – | 3 |
| Forward | Wenger, AndrewAndrew Wenger | United States |
2012– | 3 | – | – | – | 3 | |
| 10 | Forward | Andrés Romero (Argentine footballer)Andrés Romero |  Argentina |
2013 | 2 | – | – | – | 2 |
| Midfielder | Neagle, LamarLamar Neagle | United States |
2012 | 2 | – | – | – | 2 | |
| Defender | Tissot, MaximMaxim Tissot | Canada |
2013– | 1 | – | – | 1 | 2 |
Last updated: December 19, 2013.
CC = Canadian Championship; CCL = CONCACAF Champions League
Bolded players are currently on the Montreal Impact roster.
Most appearances
| # | Pos. | Name | Nation | Career | MLS | Playoffs | CC | CCL | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Midfielder | , FelipeFelipe | Brazil |
2012– | 62 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 70 |
| 2 | Defender | Brovsky, JebJeb Brovsky | United States |
2012– | 58 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 68 |
| 3 | Midfielder | Bernier, PatricePatrice Bernier | Canada |
2012– | 58 | – | 5 | 2 | 65 |
| 4 | Defender | Ferrari, MatteoMatteo Ferrari | Italy |
2012– | 56 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 63 |
| Midfielder | Mapp, JustinJustin Mapp | United States |
2012– | 54 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 63 | |
| 6 | Midfielder | Arnaud, DavyDavy Arnaud | United States |
2012–2013 | 57 | – | 3 | 2 | 62 |
| Defender | Camara, HassounHassoun Camara | France |
2012– | 52 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 62 | |
| 8 | Midfielder | Nyassi, SannaSanna Nyassi | Gambia |
2012– | 50 | – | 4 | 4 | 58 |
| 9 | Forward | Di Vaio, MarcoMarco Di Vaio | Italy |
2012– | 50 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 57 |
| 10 | Midfielder | Warner, CollenCollen Warner | United States |
2012– | 46 | 1 | 6 | 3 | 56 |
Last Updated: December 10, 2013.
CC = Canadian Championship; CCL = CONCACAF Champions League
Bolded players are currently on the Montreal Impact roster.
Club captains
| Dates | Name | Nation |
|---|---|---|
| 2012-2013 | Davy Arnaud | United States |
All-time Continental Competition Win/Loss
Last updated November 8, 2013
| Club | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Heredia | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| San Jose Earthquakes | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | -2 |
| Total | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 4 | -1 |
International results
| International results | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Competition | Club | Nation | Venue | Result |
| 2012 | Pre-season Friendly | C.D. Guadalajara |  Mexico |
Guadalajara, Mexico | D 0-0 |
| 2012 | Pre-season Friendly | Estudiantes Tecos | Mexico |
Guadalajara, Mexico | W 1-0 |
| 2012 | Pre-season Friendly | ITESO | Mexico |
Guadalajara, Mexico | W 7-0 |
| 2012 | Pre-season Friendly | Club Atlas | Mexico |
Guadalajara, Mexico | D 1-1 |
| 2012 | Pre-season Friendly | BK Häcken |  Sweden |
Lake Buena Vista, Florida, United States | W 1-0 |
| 2012 | Friendly | Olympique Lyonnais | France |
Montreal, Quebec | L 1–2 (P.K.) |
| 2012 | Friendly | Bologna F.C. 1909 | Italy |
Bologna, Italy | L 0–1 |
| 2012 | Friendly | ACF Fiorentina Primavera | Italy |
Florence, Italy | W 4–1 |
| 2012 | Friendly | ACF Fiorentina | Italy |
Florence, Italy | W 1–0 |
| 2013 | Champions League | Heredia | Guatemala |
Guatemala City, Guatemala | L 0–1 |
| 2013 | Champions League | Heredia | Guatemala |
Montreal, Quebec | W 2–0 |
Average attendance
| Year | MLS Season | MLS Playoffs | CC | CCL | Friendlies | Total Attendance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 22,772 | DNQ | 13,405 | DNQ | 19,225 | 419,754 |
| 2013 | 20,603 | - | 13,474 | 14,409 | - | 406,024 |
Last Updated: October 31, 2013.
CC = Canadian Championship; CCL = CONCACAF Champions League DNQ = Did Not Qualify
Footnotes
- ↑ Club originally founded in 1992. MLS franchise granted in 2010.
References
- ↑ "Stade Saputo Expansion". impactmontreal.com. March 9, 2011. Retrieved November 8, 2013.
- ↑ CANOE - SLAM! Sports - Soccer - Montreal to bid for MLS franchise
- ↑ "Gillett launches MLS bid". Sky Sports. March 27, 2008. Retrieved March 27, 2008.
- ↑ Major League Soccer: News: Article
- ↑
- ↑ Phillips, Randy (May 16, 2009). "New coach, same old problem". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved May 17, 2009.
- ↑ Freedman, Jonah (May 7, 2010). ""Passionate" Montreal named as 19th MLS city". MLSSoccer.com. Retrieved May 7, 2010.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "MLS awards expansion team to Montreal for 2012". Associated Press. July 5, 2010. Retrieved July 7, 2010.
- ↑
- ↑ Monte Stewart The Canadian Press (March 10, 2012). "Vancouver Whitecaps down Montreal Impact 2-0 in MLS season opener". thestar.com. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
- ↑ Bill Beacon The Canadian Press (March 17, 2012). "Montreal Impact play to 1-1 draw with Chicago Fire before massive crowd in home debut". thestar.com. Retrieved April 2, 2012.
- ↑ "Impact ties LA Galaxy 1-1 in front of 60,860 spectators at Olympic Stadium," from ImpactMontreal.com, 5/12/2012
- ↑ The Canadian Press (May 30, 2013). "Hassoun Camara's tying goal gives Impact Canadian soccer title". CBC.ca. Retrieved May 30, 2013.
- ↑ "Montreal MLS 2012". Montreal MLS 2012. Retrieved September 13, 2010.
- ↑
- ↑ "Transcript: Commissioner Garber's State of the League". MLSsoccer.com. November 16, 2010. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
- ↑ Myles, Stephanie (May 7, 2010). "Long wait over as Impact joins MLS". Montrealgazette.com. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
- ↑
- ↑ "The Montreal Impact launches its Pre-Academy program". montrealimpact.com. December 20, 2013. Retrieved December 20, 2013.
- ↑ "Impact to play its first MLS home game on March 17 at Olympic Stadium". Montreal Impact. November 29, 2011. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
- ↑ "Impact beats Seattle Sounders 4-1 in Stade Saputo home opener," from ImpactMontreal.com, June 16, 2012
- ↑ "Stadiums". Montreal MLS 2012. June 2, 2010. Retrieved September 13, 2010.
- ↑ Vlessing, Etan (July 14, 2011). "Quebecor Media Wins Montreal Impact TV Rights". The Hollywood Reporter.
- ↑ "TSN Radio 690 and Montreal Impact Announce Multi-Year Broadcast Rights Agreement". Tsn.ca. February 5, 2014. Retrieved February 5, 2014.
- ↑ "Players | Montreal Impact". ImpactMontreal.com. Retrieved March 5, 2012.
- ↑ "Frank Klopas named head coach and director of player personnel of the Montreal Impact". Montreal Impact. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
- ↑ "Frank Klopas named head coach and director of player personnel of the Montreal Impact". Montreal Impact. Retrieved December 18, 2013.
- ↑ "Montreal Impact". Montreal Impact. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
- ↑ "Nikolaos Kounenakis joins the Impact coaching staff". Montreal Impact. Retrieved February 3, 2014.
External links
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