Montreal to finish CCL quarterfinals against CD Olimpia on December 15
As we quickly make our way through the beginning of December, we realize just how close the holidays are. At this point in time, the MLS Cup has usually been won, which also means that the MLS season is done. The next time the players usually regroup is in the middle of January to begin preparing for the next campaign.
But like everything else in 2020, things are just a little different this year.
Starting December 15, the Concacaf Champions League will officially make its return to Exploria Stadium in Orlando, Florida, to determine a 2020 champion and confirm which team will participate in the FIFA Club World Cup.
The Impact finds itself in the second leg of the quarter-final stage against Honduran side CD Olimpia, who won the opening leg 2-1 at Olympic Stadium, back in March.
“We’re completely focused on this game, against a rival I know quite well,” said Impact forward Romell Quioto, a former player of the Honduran club. “On my end, I’m as motivated as I am in every game. I hope we can prepare well and go into this game with the right mindset. It won’t be easy, but no matter who’s there, we’re going to play to win.”
Preparing for this game has been a little complicated for the Impact side. After falling 2-1 to the New England Revolution on November 24 in the MLS Cup playoffs, the squad had to undergo a 14-day quarantine, which left them unable to leave their homes until December 4, and giving them an 11-day window to prepare physically for this important matchup.
“It’s what we had to deal with very often this season,” said head coach Thierry Henry, referring to the quarantine process. “We’ve regrouped, and we’re focused on completing a comeback against Olimpia. It’s not going to be easy, but we’ve kept our guys motivated and they’ve done a good job of doing that themselves as well. We have a job to do, and that’s why we’re here.”
CD Olimpia, on its end, is in a good stretch at the moment, the Honduran side currently in the middle of a seven-game win streak. With eight wins and four losses, Olimpia currently sits second in Group A of the first division, the Liga Nacional.
The Montreal Impact began its Champions League journey in the round of 16 against Costa Rican side Deportivo Saprissa, earning a 2-2 draw in Central America before playing to a scoreless draw at Olympic Stadium, which meant the Impact qualified to the next round on the away goal rule.
CD Olimpia, on its end, beat out the Seattle Sounders in a penalty shootout, both games having finished in a 2-2 draw.
The second leg between the Montreal Impact and CD Olimpia will take place at 8pm on December 15, and will be broadcast on RDS, TSN, 98.5 and TSN 690.
