MONTREAL – It was on December 10, 1992, that the Montreal Impact was embarking on the soccer adventure during a press conference announcing the club’s start in the American Professional Soccer League (APSL) for the following year.
In the presence of Lino Saputo Sr., Impact president Joey Saputo, league commissioner Bill Sage, Montreal mayor Jean Doré and the team’s general manager Pino Asaro, professional soccer made its comeback in Montreal, right after the failure of the Canadian Soccer League and of FC Supra.
“We’re approaching this initiative with determination,” said president Joey Saputo, on that day, during the launch in a downtown Montreal hotel.
“Montreal is a cosmopolitan city with a long tradition of soccer, and we congratulate the Saputo Group for their efforts, which will guarantee the continued development of professional soccer in Montreal,” said commissioner Bill Sage.
Having played its inaugural season in 1993, the 2018 season will therefore be the 25th of the Montreal Impact’s history.
To celebrate this commemoration, a series of initiatives will be orchestrated throughout the year, and each club event in 2018 will have a sprinkle of the 25th anniversary.
The club will celebrate its quarter century by remembering its early stages in 1993, its playoff titles, Canadian Championship titles, Champions League games, the opening of Stade Saputo, the switch to MLS and the construction of Centre Nutrilait, all while integrating its craftsmen as well.
All details and the complete programming will be first unveiled to season ticket holders during the annual Members’ assembly, for which the date and location will be revealed at a later date.
In preamble, the Montreal Impact officially unveils its 25th anniversary logo in the blue, white, and black colors embracing the number 25, the fleur-de-lys and the IMFC letters on a scarf.
