Organized by the Albatros Soccer Club, the game was announced Tuesday at a press conference at City Hall, in the presence of the mayor of Trois-Rivières and honorary chairman of the event, Yves Lévesque, and Montreal Impact team president Joey Saputo.
“For us, it’s a logical progression from a partnership that started several years ago with the region, notably with a public practice that took place here last year,” said Saputo. “This event also fits in well with the team’s mission to promote and develop soccer throughout the province of Quebec.”
“It is a big first for Trois-Rivières,” said Stéphane Chiarello, president of the Trois-Rivières-Ouest Albatros Soccer Club (CSATRO). “The great relationship between the CSATRO and the Impact have made this event possible. We’re also sending the message to young players and their parents that soccer is the sport of the future in Quebec and it is possible to play at the professional level. We hope the event will kick off many soccer dreams for some of our young players.”
For Montreal Impact head coach Nick DeSantis, this game is also a good way for him to assess his players’ performances, as they meet fans in the region.
“We have noticed that every year more soccer fans from this region are coming to our games during the summer,” said DeSantis. “For us, it is a good way to thank them for their support. Also, on April 17, with the training camp nearing its end, the game against the Select will be very important in our player evaluation.”
Formerly known as the Francheville soccer club, the Trois-Rivières Sélect participated in the Canadian Championship in 2001. The team ended the 2004 season in third place of the Quebec Elite Soccer League with a record of 8-4-4.
Tickets for this special game will be on sale at Plante Sports and Sports Experts stores in Trois-Rivières and at participating soccer clubs.
To date, the Impact has two other pre-season games scheduled: Nick DeSantis’squad will take on a selection from the National Training Centre, March 19 and 26, at the Catalogna Soccerplexe in Lachine.
The Impact will also play two home games “away from home” this year: August 14, at the Laval University Peps in Quebec, against the Puerto Rico Islanders and August 28, at Sherbrooke University Stadium, against the Rochester Raging Rhinos.
Montreal will defend its First Division United Soccer Leagues championship title with a double-header in Puerto Rico, against the Islanders, April 29 and May 1. Montreal will play the 12th home opener of its history at Claude-Robillard Stadium May 29, in a showdown against the Rochester Raging Rhinos.
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Source : Patrick Vallée
Info : 514-328-3668 (ext. 27)
