The Montreal Impact U23 team was victorious in its PDL debut against the Westchester Flames, last Saturday, while the USSDA teams split their matches with the FC Bolts.
Impact U23 wins 4-0
After a long wait and months of preparation, the Montreal Impact U23 traveled to Westchester, New York, defeating the Flames 4-0 in its inaugural game in PDL at City Park Stadium.
Nazim Belguendouz scored a brace, while Kevin Luarca and Frédéric Lajoie-Gravelle were the other goal scorers.
Westchester 0-4 Montreal Impact
MTL - Kevin Luarca (Victor Ndiaye) 14'
MTL - Nazim Belguendouz (Kevin Luarca) 25'
MTL - Nazim Belguendouz (Victor Ndiaye) 62'
MTL - Frédéric Lajoie-Gravelle 90'
Despite the score, U23 head coach Philippe Eullaffroy felt his side could play even better.
“The substance within our game could have been better. We had some trouble expresses ourselves most likely due to the excitement of finally playing our first league game. We were a little timid in our decision-making but for our first game in a new competition, the result is positive.”
The U23s will be on the road once again this weekend, at Veteran memorial Stadium, to take on Real Boston this Saturday at 7pm. The team will play its home opener on June 1st against Westchester.
U18s battle to 2-1 win
In the early game last Saturday at noon, on the Stade Saputo turf field, the Impact U18 defeated the FC Bolts 2-1 to climb up the ranks in its fight for a playoff spot in the USSDA. Mele Temguia and Marco Dominguez scored for the home side in that important win.
“It wasn’t our best game technically, but I was pleased with the intensity and intentions in our play. We were just missing some quality,” said U18 head coach Jason DiTullio. “When we play at home, even if we have some difficulty in establishing our game, we play with pride, determination and passion, which was the case in this game.”
With a record of 11-7-2, the U18s sit in fourth spot in the Northeast Division and are closer to securing a playoff spot with 35 points.
Missed opportunities cost U16
The Impact U16 could not take advantage of a number of scoring chances, falling 2-1 to the Bolts in the second game at Stade Saputo. Santiago Gonzalez scored the lone goal for the home side.
“With a little more accuracy in front of goal, we could have scored early on in the game, which would have validated the strong content of our team play, composed of players born in 1998,” explained U16 head coach Wilfried Nancy. “Unfortunately, we made some mistakes that we don’t normally make, so the score line isn’t satisfying, but I’m happy with what I saw on the field.”
Despite the loss, the U16s are comfortably holding down a playoffs spot, sitting in third in the North-East Division with 38 points with a record of 12-6-2.
With only three games remaining this season, both USSDA sides will be hosting Albertson SC this Saturday. The U18s will be on the synthetic field at Stade Saputo at 11am before the U16s kickoff at 1:30pm.
