MONTREAL – The Montreal Impact U18 team is set to take on the Seattle Sounders FC U18 this Monday July 7 in the quarterfinals of the USSDA playoffs.
It will be possible to follow the game live on twitter via @academieimpact.
Last week, in Indianapolis, the Impact was victorious in the group phase of the US Soccer Development Academy (USSDA) thanks to a 3-2 win over the LA Galaxy.
Ranked 14th going into the group stage of the playoffs, the Impact now holds the 6th seed for the elimination round:
- Chivas USA (8) v Bethesda-Olney (1)
- Shattuck-Saint Mary's (7) v Players Development Academy (2)
- Montreal Impact (6) v Seattle Sounders (3)
- Colorado Rush (5) v FC Dallas (4)
For head coach Jason DiTullio, the playoffs qualification showed where the Impact stacked up against more experienced teams and gave the opportunity to play more games against high caliber teams.
"During the group phase in Indianapolis, we wanted to impose our style of play all while earning good results,” said DiTullio. “We progressed throughout the first three games just as we did during the season. All our players showed maturity, professionalism and played with a lot of skills.”
“Even though we are playing a tougher opponent in the Seattle Sounders, I have 100% confidence in my players,” added DiTullio. “I am convinced that they will play with vigor, emotion, intensity and technical quality in order to try and move forward in the playoffs.”
On another note, the Impact U16 team lost out on qualification to the quarter-final round by a single point in the group stage.
Impact U23 wins
The Impact U23 team, currently fifth in the Northeast division, was victorious in its most recent matchup, Wednesday, topping the Vermont Voltage 2-0 at Stade Saputo's synthetic field.
Frédéric Lajoie-Gravelle (64th minute) and Victor Ndiaye (89th) scored for the home side.
