The Impact player ranks fifth after the season’s first tournament
DALLAS, Texas – The Montreal Impact and its eSports player supported by BMO, LyesMTL, will pursue their competitive eMLS season on EA SPORTS FIFA 19 this Sunday, in Dallas, at the National Soccer Hall of Fame, during the eMLS League Series Two, the second of three tournaments this year. This event’s playoffs will be broadcast on Twitch as of 7pm EST and every game will also be covered on the club’s Twitter account (@impactmontreal).
“I always aim to win in a tournament,” said LyesMTL. “I’m disappointed to have finished fifth in Los Angeles in January and I’ve made a few changes for this one. My objective is to score more goals and take more risks. I know my defense ranks among the best among eMLS players, I just need to narrow the goal gap with the top four players.”
LyesMTL will face every player in the Eastern Conference once to determine the standings of this tournament and to add points to the general standings in hopes of qualifying for the eMLS Cup final. He currently ranks fifth, with 21 points in 11 games, tied with FCC Fiddle, in fourth. Last year, LyesMTL lost in the final of the first ever eMLS Cup.
New format for eMLS
The eMLS added two regular season tournaments in 2019, in Los Angeles last January, and in Dallas, this Sunday, in order to add an extra layer of competition to the popular initiative. This means that regular season games are crucial, not only for participating in the playoffs of each event, but also because the points accumulated in these two tournaments will determine who will have a chance to bring home the highest honours.
This year, only six players from each conference will qualify for the eMLS Cup playoffs. The five best players in each conference will qualify directly to the playoffs, while those who didn’t qualify will fight for the sixth and final spot, giving them access to the ultimate tournament.
Two Impact players, one MLS player in the dream team
Just like last year, the eSports players who participate in the eMLS tournaments create their team following the rules of the Football Ultimate Team game mode and must always have two players from their own club on the field, as well as another MLS player. They can also choose among all active players in EA SPORTS FIFA 19, excluding icons.
Without surprise, LyesMTL chose Nacho Piatti and his special SBC card rated 85. The Argentine Designated Player allows Lyes to create a strong chemistry link with fellow Argentine forward from Barcelona Lionel Messi and his Team of the Year card, and with Los Angeles Galaxy Designated Player Zlatan Ibrahimović and his Flashback card. He also opted for full-back Bacary Sagna, allowing him to have good chemistry with Real Madrid centre back Raphaël Varane and his Team of the Year card, and also with French forward Kylian Mbappé, who also has a Team of the Year card. Goalkeeper David de Gea, Real Madrid defenders Sergio Ramos and Marcelo, and midfielders Luka Modric and N’Golo Kanté complete LyesMTL’s starting 11.
In Dallas, the four best players in each conference will qualify for the conference semifinals, the ultimate goal being to win the eMLS League Series Two trophy, a $5,000 cash prize, and six additional points in the eMLS regular season standings.
Here are the opponents LyesMTL will face in order as of 11:30am EST during the regular season:
New York Red Bulls and Mike LaBelle v Montreal Impact and LyesMTL
Montreal Impact and LyesMTL v Orlando City SC and FIFA Abe
Philadelphia Union and doolsta v Montreal Impact and LyesMTL
Montreal Impact and LyesMTL v Toronto FC and PhilB94
Atlanta United and RatedHugo v Montreal Impact and LyesMTL
Montreal Impact and LyesMTL v Chicago Fire and BITW18 II
Columbus Crew SC and CrewSC Nenad v Montreal Impact and LyesMTL
Montreal Impact and LyesMTL v D.C. United and Renatogz05
Montreal Impact and LyesMTL v FC Cincinnati and FCC Fiddle
New England Revolution and JKO1707 v Montreal Impact and LyesMTL
Montreal Impact and LyesMTL v New York City FC and NYC_CHRIS
