Montreal to play three games in eight days at home
MONTREAL – The Montreal Impact will begin a sequence of three games in eight days at home this Wednesday, May 29, at 7:30pm, against Real Salt Lake at Stade Saputo (TVA Sports, TSN, 98.5, TSN 690). Excellent tickets remain available at impactmontreal.com.
“Our three home games will come quickly,” said Impact head coach Rémi Garde. “Everyone will need to be ready if we want to be successful. On their end, they have quick forwards and they play well as a team. They’ve scored well-constructed goals in their last few games and they’re on a three-game win streak, during which they beat Toronto, Atlanta, and Colorado. There’s offensive quality there, with players that know how to dribble, but also with a collective game that’s well in place. They have good players and a solid team. It’ll be a good test for us. We need to be very good if we want all three points.”
Stade Saputo's gates will at 5:30pm, allowing you to take advantage of the spring weather. From 5:30pm to 6:30pm, the 2-for-1 special on all drinks will be in place, and animations, numerous activities, and photobooths will be available beneath the stands. The first 5,000 supporters at the stadium can also grab their copy of the 2019 team photo before the game. Video game enthusiasts can try their luck against LyesMTL, the Impact's eSports player in the BMO Celebration Zone, on FIFA 19 on PS4. Finally, a new pregame ritual, during which supporters will be able to welcome players in the stadium's North stand, will take place as of 6pm, 90 minutes before kickoff. Please note as well that our new IMFC grilled cheeses made by chef Danny Smiles will henceforth be on the concessions' menu at Stade Saputo, starting as low as $2.83 (plus tax).
The MLS bag policy will be in place for this game. Backpacks, camera bags, and big tote bags, as well as any bag larger than 35cm x 35cm x 15cm will not be accepted inside the stadium.
Also, please note that more traffic than usual is to be expected in the Sherbrooke/Pie-IX/Pierre-de-Coubertin/Viau area, as well as to access the different parking lots around Stade Saputo due to roadwork.
The Viau metro station is undergoing an important renovation project. Construction on the new bus rapid transit corridor (BRT) on Pie-IX Boulevard has begun, and as such, traffic on Pie-IX between the A40 and Pierre-de-Coubertin Street will be impeded, while bus routes may be diverted. The P1, P2, P3, P4 parking lots are available. The P5 parking lot is reserved for Members with a parking pass.
Busy week before the Gold Cup break
Currently ranked fourth in the East, the Impact will benefit from a three-week break, which will also mark the midway point of Montreal’s season. Until then, Stade Saputo will see a lot of action, because following the game against Mike Petke’s men, Orlando City SC will visit the Quebec metropolis, followed by the Seattle Sounders FC next Wednesday.
But before multiple Impact players leave Montreal to go on and join their respective national sides, notably for the Concacaf Gold Cup and the African Cup of Nations, Rémi Garde’s men have a crucial sequence of three consecutive games at home, now just four points away from D.C. United, who sits first in the Eastern Conference.
“It’s always great to play at home,” said midfielder Shamit Shome. “We have three games at Stade Saputo in a row in a short amount of time. If we use it efficiently, we could do something good here and make a climb in the standings. I think we need to be patient in our approach, and not worry about settling our nerves by scoring early. The way we play, it may take time, and we need to be patient with that. But it’s a big opportunity for us to collect points at home before the break.”
Midfielder Samuel Piette, once again available after serving a one-game suspension, could earn a 60th start with Montreal. Goalkeeper Evan Bush, on his end, could earn his 60th MLS victory. Midfielders Omar Browne and Harry Novillo will also be available for Garde, having recovered from injury.
Real Salt Lake in form
Wednesday’s visitors have won their last three games, two of those having been played at home. Now sixth in the West, they’ve managed a record of two wins, four losses and one draw away from home. Designated Players Albert Rusnak and Sam Johnson, with five and four goals respectively this season, will need to be watched closely.
“I think it’s a great team,” said striker Maxi Urruti. “They’re young and they run a lot. Whether they’re at home or away, they manage to maintain their style of play. We’ll need to stay focused. We have three games at home, so getting good results will be very important to us.”
Upcoming games
The Impact hosts Orlando City SC on Saturday, June 1, at 5pm (TICKETS – TVA Sports, TSN, 98.5, TSN 690), a game before which the UEFA Champions League final, featuring Liverpool against Tottenham, will be broadcast at the stadium. The Impact will then face the Seattle Sounders FC on Wednesday, June 5, at 7:30pm (TICKETS – TVA Sports, TSN, 98.5, TSN 690)
