Last Saturday, the Impact U18 and U16 teams faced the Players Development Academy teams in New Jersey. These games had a great significance for the playoff race with two clubs trying to improve their place in the standings.
Clément Bayiha scored in the first minutes of the U18 game, but PDA equalized although Montreal had good control over the game.
After halftime, Mathieu Choinière gave the Bleu-blanc-noir another lead when he scored, but PDA pulled level once again and the game ended with a 2-2 result.
The Impact U16 followed up minutes later. Just like their seniors, they took an early lead when Tristan Resendes scored on a cross from Zachary Fernandez. The team doubled its lead shortly thereafter as Karifa Yao finished a corner kick from Calin Calaidjoglu.
PDA came back from behind in the second half with two goals, but in the dying minutes, Moulay Abdallah Kanzi Belghiti scored the winning goal to lift the Impact U16 to a 3-2 win.
Impact v Cedar Stars Academy
Both teams were back on the field not even 24 hours later, this time against Cedar Stars Academy.
Just like the previous day, Clément Bayiha scored the first goal only minutes into the game. Cedar Stars Academy equalized, but Santiago Gonzalez put the Impact in front again before halftime.
Bayiha scored another in the second half. The opponent cut the Impact’s lead to one when they scored midway through the half, but the Impact U18 held on for a 3-2 win.
“Our performance was alright, but we need to show more humility in our play,” said Impact U18 interim head coach Philippe Eullaffroy.
The Impact U16 started off on the wrong foot, giving up three goals in the first 13 minutes.
Montreal gave everything in the second half to come back. Moulay Abdallah Kanzi Belghiti and Woobens Pacius scored, but the team wasn’t able to tie, losing 3-2.
Next games
The Impact Development Academy teams will be at Centre Nutrilait this Saturday to face FC Boston Bolts teams, starting at 11am. With only five games left in the season, the U16s are currently fourth of their group, with ten wins, four losses and seven draws. The U18s are in second place, with nine wins, four losses and six draws. The first three teams of each group qualify for the playoffs. The next best 11 teams, no matter their group, also make it into the playoffs, for a total of 32 teams.
