At the end of July, the Impact U13 team was in Mexico to compete in the CONCACAF U13 Champions League. It was an interesting challenge that helped the teenagers get a unique experience.
The team started the tournament with a 2-0 win against ADFA Ahuachapan. After this, they lost 1-0 against CSD Herediano, before tying 2-2 against Instituto Cedrus to go through to the quarterfinals.
“We were able to express ourselves in the play,” said head coach Serge Dinkota. “We displayed the identity of the Montreal Impact on the field. We also discovered a football and result culture where the opponent made it difficult for us. On the last game where we tied 2-2 against a Mexican club, the scenario was that a draw would see us through, while they needed a win. The last ten minutes were complicated and high in emotions with a hostile crowd favourable to the opponent. We really felt the Mexican atmosphere at that time.”
After that performance, the Impact faced the Salvadorian team of Santa Ana in the quarterfinals. Despite an interesting game, the Bleu-blanc-noir boys lost 1-0 against what was going to be the tournament champion, without allowing a goal during the entire competition.
Globally, Dinkota is happy with the performance and the reaction of his players in Mexico. The team gained fans by displaying quality on the field as many people were coming to watch the games.
The Impact U13 is now off for a bit. Players taking part in the tournament will take advantage of a month off before coming back to play at the beginning of September.
