Lots at stake for Bleu-blanc-noir on Supporters’ Day
MONTREAL – The Montreal Impact will play its last game of the regular season this Sunday, at 3pm, at Stade Saputo, against its biggest rival, Toronto FC. Excellent tickets remain available on impactmontreal.com.
The Impact will need a win or a tie to keep its chances of participating in the MLS Cup playoffs alive. Two teams in front of the Bleu-blanc-noir in the standings, the Columbus Crew SC, five points ahead, and D.C. United, four points in front, are still within reach for the Impact.
“The situation can be seen very clearly. These are six points we absolutely need to take,” said Impact head coach Rémi Garde. “The first three against Toronto are obligatory, because we don’t want to have even the smallest regret regarding what the other teams may or may not accomplish. The situation is clear, and even clearer since it’s Toronto in front of us.”
“We need to win these last two games, and then we’ll see what D.C. and Columbus will do,” said midfielder Nacho Piatti. “We’re focused on the game against Toronto. We hope to have the opportunity to go to New England, win, and qualify for the playoffs.”
The Impact will take advantage of this last home game of the MLS regular season to underline its supporters’ perpetual support during the entire 2018 season. Numerous activities will be put forward at Stade Saputo, and we invite you to keep an eye on sections 114 and 132, where the groups 1642MTL and Ultras Montréal 2002, respectively, will be actively showing the team support in the playoff race.
Despite the arrival of the month of October, IMFC Summer will once again shine bright in the stadium’s corridors, from the second the doors open at 1:00pm. The 2-for-1 special on all drinks will be in place until 2:00pm, and Les Jacks will set the atmosphere. Also, by arriving early, supporters can take advantage of a plethora of activities offered by our partners, and also try their luck against LyesMTL, the Impact’s eSports player, in a game of FIFA on PS4 in the BMO Celebration Zone.
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 expected in the Sherbrooke/Pie-IX/Pierre-de-Coubertin/Viau area, and at the access points of the parking lots around Stade Saputo due to the Montreal HomeExpo at Olympic Stadium. The Impact strongly suggests using public transportation to get to the stadium (exit Viau) and to arrive early. Drivers are welcome to use P1 parking lot, on Pierre-de-Coubertin, P3 on Pie-IX, and P4 on Sherbrooke.
A dynamic trio
The midfield trifecta formed of Saphir Taïder, Alejandro Silva and Nacho Piatti continues to find success: the three have scored 20 goals and added 22 assists in their last 17 games, a sequence in which the Impact posted a record of nine wins, four losses, and four draws. Montreal’s last game, against Columbus Crew SC, was the first time all three scored in the same game.
Evan Bush, on his end, continues his excellent season. Other than holding the record for most saves in a season, he also tied the record for most clean sheets in a season with nine and beat the record for most clean sheets at home in a season, with seven.
“Every time you play Toronto, there’s always pressure involved,” said goalkeeper Evan Bush. “We know what’s at stake, and we need three points. There’s only one way to approach this game. We know what Toronto is capable of, whether they have all their guys or not. They have a lot of quality throughout their team and they’re going to be dangerous.”
All over in Toronto
Following a record season in 2017, TFC has nothing more to play for in 2018 with two games remaining in the regular season, other than preventing its Montreal rival from taking part in the fall tournament. The Reds are already eliminated from the playoff race and won’t even be able to count on Jozy Altidore and Victor Vazquez, out injured, while Jonathan Osorio played all 90 minutes Tuesday for the Canadian national team. Sebastian Giovinco, on his end, just did a roundtrip flight to Europe and back after being called up by the Italian national team, without however seeing the field.
Upcoming game
The Impact will play its last game of the regular season at Gillette Stadium, on Sunday, October 28 at 3pm, against the New England Revolution on MLS Decision Day (TVA Sports, TSN, 98,5fm, TSN Radio 690). Members can take advantage of a free ticket offered by the Montreal Impact by communicating with your Member Sales & Service representative.
