INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana – Both Montreal Impact Development Academy teams ended their playoff run Monday, in their last game of the group phase, in Indianapolis.
The Impact U16 was the first team to play, facing the Chicago Fire in a decisive game. After taking a 2-0 lead on finishes by Moulay Abdallah Kanzi Belghiti and Daniel Pacella, the Impact allowed three goals and lost 3-2. Atlanta United thus finished first of the group, just in front of the Bleu-blanc-noir, and qualified for the quarterfinals.
The Impact U18 also had the chance to reach the quarterfinals with a win against Sockers FC and a goal differential advantage, as well as a favourable result in the game between Texans SC Houston and Sacramento Republic FC. However, the Texans won and the Impact tied 2-2 with goals coming from Gabriel Balbinotti and Santiago Gonzalez. The Texans will play in the quarterfinals.
The Impact U18 finished its season with 14 wins, four losses and six draws, finishing second in its group, while the Impact U16 ended the season with 13 wins, six losses and seven draws, good for third place in its group.
Some of the Impact U18 players will now join the Canada-Québec team to prepare for the Jeux de la Francophonie that will be played from July 21 to 30, in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.
