Montreal Impact – Seattle Sounders FC
Sunday, March 23, 2014 – 4pm (EDT)
Olympic Stadium
TV: RDS
Radio: TSN Radio 690, 98,5FM
Mobile: illico mobile
MONTREAL – It’s off to the Olympic Stadium this weekend for the Montreal Impact (0-2-0) as it hosts the Seattle Sounders FC (1-1-0) in its home opener on Sunday, March 23, at 4pm EDT.
Based on the management protocol for the main staging area at Olympic Stadium, the final decision whether or not to play the game tomorrow will be made today, after 4pm.
The game will be broadcast live on RDS, TSN Radio 690 and 98,5FM. You can also get live updates using the Impact mobile app or by following @impactmontreal on twitter.
With already 25,000 tickets sold, the Impact is guaranteed the second best home opener attendance in MLS this season, after visiting Seattle.
The organization invites supporters to arrive at Olympic Stadium early to avoid traffic around Olympic Park and overcrowding at the stadium’s entrance. Doors open at 2pm EDT.
Excellent tickets are still available for the game on Ticketmaster.ca or 1-855-790-1245.
Special activities are planned for the home opener. Presenting partner BMO will be giving away 15,000 supporter towels in different sections of the stadium, as well as 10,000 magnetic calendars after the game.
The official 2014 Impact souvenir magazine will be sold at a special price of only $2. The magazine is available for purchase at all boutique stands and will be offered at different individual point of sales throughout the stadium.
The Celebration Zone returns with activities for kids, including inflatable games, face-painting, precision target shooting and the Uniprix post-game autograph session with 2 players.
Head-to-head
The Impact is undefeated in two games against the Seattle Sounders FC since its entry in MLS, winning 4-1 in 2012 at Stade Saputo and 1-0 in 2013 in the team’s season opener on March 2 at CenturyLink Field.
Midfielder Patrice Bernier has three career assists against Seattle. Midfielder Felipe has one goal and one assist against Seattle.
Impact news
The Impact looks to continue its undefeated ways in home openers, defeating Toronto FC last season 2-1 and playing to a 1-1 draw with the Chicago Fire in 2012.
The Montreal Impact fell to the Houston Dynamo in its most recent matchup last Saturday at BBVA Compass Stadium after Will Bruin scored a lucky goal when his shot deflected off of an Impact defender. Despite the loss, the Impact played one of its best road games, outshooting the Dynamo 16-13 and pretty much splitting possession in one of the toughest places to play in MLS.
The Impact has had a lot of success at Olympic Stadium since 2012, recording four wins, one loss and three ties in seven regular-season games and one Amway Canadian Championship game.
Defenders Maxim Tissot, Adrian Lopez and Nelson Rivas, as well as midfielder Sanna Nyassi are all on the injury list.
Head coach Frank Klopas will make his home coaching debut for the Impact, but a second appearance at an Olympic Stadium home opener, having coached the Fire to its 1-1 draw as the visiting team in the Impact’s first ever home game in MLS.
Forward Andrew Wenger’s next game will be his 50th career game in MLS with the Impact while defender Matteo Ferrari is one minute shy of the 5,000 mark.
Forward Marco Di Vaio and midfielder Andres Romero will serve the final game of a three-match ban handed out after last season’s playoff elimination.
The Impact is three goals away from reaching 100 in MLS club history.
Sounders news
Seattle defeated MLS Cup champions Sporting Kansas City 1-0 in its home opener to start the season, but fell to Toronto FC 2-1 last weekend at CenturyLink Field. This will be the Sounders first game on the road in 2014.
DP and captain of the US national men’s team going to Brazil for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, Clint Dempsey has lead the team offensively, taking part in both goals scored so far this season (1G, 1A). However, it is expected that Dempsey will be suspended following an incident in the match versus TFC last Saturday.
Former Impact midfielder Lamar Neagle returns to Montreal for the first time since the trade that sent him back home to Seattle in 2013. Last season, Neagle scored eight goals, added four assists in a breakout campaign for the Sounders, and already has an assist in two games played in 2014, starting and finishing both contests.
Former All-Star and U.S. international forward Kenny Cooper was picked up in the waiver draft to add depth to a an attacking core that lost Eddie Johnson in a trade with D.C. United, while midfielder Marco Pappa, returning to MLS from the Dutch first division, was brought in through the allocation process to replace former DP Mauro Rosales, traded to Chivas USA.
Seattle also traded for former TFC Goalkeeper Stefan Frei to replace Michael Gspurning, who returned to former club PAOK FC in the Greek Super League.
Upcoming games
The Impact will travel to PPL Park in Philadelphia to take on the Union on Saturday, March 29, at 4pm EDT, before returning to Montreal to host the New York Red Bulls on April 5, at 4pm EDT, at Olympic Stadium.
2014 Season tickets
2014 season tickets are now available in six categories, with prices ranging from $339, $443, $546, $667, $885 and $1,230 (taxes included), as well as in the Saputo Family Corner at $224 (kids) and $443 (adults). Memberships for Premium Seats are all sold out and only two suites remain for individual game purchases. Reserve your seat for the 2014 season by contacting our sales services at 514-328-3668.
