The four quarterfinal rounds will be home and away aggregate goals series, which will involve the top two teams of the four groups following the group stage. That knockout phase will be played from February 24 to 26 and March 3 to 5.
“At this stage of the tournament, all teams are good and Santos Laguna is certainly an excellent club,” said Impact head coach John Limniatis. “This team had a good season in the Mexican championship. Santos Laguna played against Puerto Rico during the group stage, so we have seen them play. Now we will try to know more about them.”
After winning the first edition of the Nutrilite Canadian Championship, the Impact defeated Real Estelí FC (Nicaragua) in the preliminary round, then finished second in Group C in the group stage with a record of three wins, one loss and two ties.
Club Santos Laguna ended first in Group D the group stage with a record of three wins, two losses and one tie.
The Montreal organization still does not know if it will play its quarterfinal game at the Olympic Stadium but remains optimistic.
“We are still waiting for an answer,” said Impact Executive Vice President Richard Legendre. “Everybody is looking for a solution and we see the willingness of all the people involved. The Olympic Stadium remains the only true option.”
In the semifinals, the winner of the series between the Impact and the Club Santos Laguna will face the winner of the series between the Houston Dynamo (MLS) and Atlante FC (Mexico).
In the two other quarterfinal matchups, the Puerto Rico Islanders (D1 USL) will face CD Marathon (Honduras), and DCSC Cruz Azul (Mexico) will battle against Pumas UNAM (Mexico).
The winners of this round will move to the semifinals that will take place March 17 to 19, and from April 7 to 9, 2009. The championship final will be played April 21 to 23 and 28 to 30, 2009. The CONCACAF Champions League winner will qualify as the CONCACAF's representative to the 2009 edition of the FIFA Club World Cup, in December.
THE IMPACT KICKS OFF ITS TRAINING CAMP JANUARY 5
To prepare for this historical series, the Impact will kick off the 16th training camp in club history, Monday, January 5, at Catalogna Soccerplexe, in Lachine. The Impact should train daily, except on Sundays, and should play a number of pre-season games on Saturdays.
For a second straight year, the team will travel to Italy for a pre-season tour. The Impact will be in Florence, from January 31 to February 13. During that trip, the club should play three additional exhibition games. The Impact's opponents and game schedule will be announced at a later date.
“This trip to Italy will help the team prepare for the CONCACAF Champions League game,” said Impact technical director Nick De Santis. “We will have the chance to face quality teams that are in the middle of their championship.”
Nick De Santis and Impact President Joey Saputo will be flying to Florence this Monday to visit the facilities and meet a number of Italian clubs. Head coach John Limniatis and assistant coach Marc Dos Santos will be attending the USL Showcase, in Charleston, South Carolina, from December 13 to 16.
Tickets for the CONCACAF Champions League quarterfinal match will be on sale at a later date. However, it is possible to purchase 2009 season tickets at 514-328-3668 or by visiting www.impactmontreal.com.
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Source: Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info: 514-328-3668 (ext. 227)
