- Don Garber was in Montreal on Monday and met with Joey Saputo to discuss Montreal joining MLS in 2012 and "to do what we can to get that deal done".
"We hope to announce soon", "Montreal is a great market for MLS" ect. ect. Seriously, can you guys please just go ahead and reveal possibly the worst kept secret in pro sports already??
- 2009 USL-1 MVP and Puerto Rico Islanders defender Christian Arrieta is on trial with the Philadelphia Union. Would be a huge loss to Puerto Rico if he sticks with Philly.
- The USL and the Puerto Rico Soccer League are in talks to possibly create a USL Carribean division with teams from the island and other Carribean nations. Is this a sign that they have possibly thrown in the towel with 2nd division North American soccer and are looking for other teams to be able to extract franchise fees from? We already know that FC Barracuda of Antigua has already applied to be a member of the NASL in 2011, so this could be a new front in the battle between the 2 entities...
Inside Minnesota Soccer will be featuring a 2010 USSF D2 season preview tomorrow ( or today depending on when you are reading this...OK, Wednesday March 31st) and once again Brian Quarstad has asked me to contribute the Montreal Impact 2010 preview. It will also contain previews for the other 11 teams of USSF D2, written by bloggers or writers from those cities/area. Check it out, should be an awesome read..
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Saturday, March 27, 2010
Saturday night quick hits
- The Impact and Carolina Railhawks played to a 1-1 draw, game report here.
- Last pre-season game on Monday VS Wake Forest University.
- Stephen Deroux saw his first minutes of action today being subbed in at the 70th minute.
I will be heading down to Toronto on April 28th for the 1st game of the Nutrilite Canadian Championship with UM02 and other Impact supporters, if anyone is interested in coming along for the trip here's the info ( move fast only a few spots left) :
- Last pre-season game on Monday VS Wake Forest University.
- Stephen Deroux saw his first minutes of action today being subbed in at the 70th minute.
I will be heading down to Toronto on April 28th for the 1st game of the Nutrilite Canadian Championship with UM02 and other Impact supporters, if anyone is interested in coming along for the trip here's the info ( move fast only a few spots left) :
Monday, March 22, 2010
Antonio Ribeiro placed on waivers
The San Jose Earthquakes placed former Impact midfielder Antonio Ribeiro on waivers today.
Ribeiro was a fan favorite in Montreal and the question of should they bring him back will inevitably come up. I'm not too sure that would actually be an option seeing as the Impact is really deep at midfield and his departure did not happen on the best of terms.
I wish him good luck.
Ribeiro was a fan favorite in Montreal and the question of should they bring him back will inevitably come up. I'm not too sure that would actually be an option seeing as the Impact is really deep at midfield and his departure did not happen on the best of terms.
I wish him good luck.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Real work sucks...
I'm back after a horrendously long week, in which I had to answer moronic questions over and over and babysit adults...
I'll be posting my world-changing opinion on all the stuff going on in and around the Impact later tonight (very much later..). And seeing as I've been dubbed a "Top writer" by a fellow Canadian footy blogger, I'll reveal the other sites in which I will be posting Impact related stuff and previews ect.
Be back soon....
Important Update: Ya... Long night and I just got in, will definitely not be posting anything until tomorrow afternoon. So sorry to greatly disappoint and devastate all of you who were eagerly awaiting my insight before heading off to bed.
ZZZZZZZZZ......
I'll be posting my world-changing opinion on all the stuff going on in and around the Impact later tonight (very much later..). And seeing as I've been dubbed a "Top writer" by a fellow Canadian footy blogger, I'll reveal the other sites in which I will be posting Impact related stuff and previews ect.
Be back soon....
Important Update: Ya... Long night and I just got in, will definitely not be posting anything until tomorrow afternoon. So sorry to greatly disappoint and devastate all of you who were eagerly awaiting my insight before heading off to bed.
ZZZZZZZZZ......
Monday, March 15, 2010
Update: Impact will announce a "change in the structure of the club" Wednesday
The Impact FO have announced a press conference for Wednesday via the following Twitter post "The Impact has invited the media to a press conference Wednesday. The Impact will announce a change in the structure of the club".
So, what will it be? The forming of the long talked about academy? The Attak moving to Laval as was rumored a few weeks ago?
Most people are betting that it has to do with the club once again becoming a "private" entity, thus putting an end to the non profit organization involving Saputo, Hydro-Quebec and the Quebec government. This step being necessary to make the transition to MLS in 2012 as is expected.
I guess we'll just have to wait and see...
Update: According to CKAC Sports, the Impact will be announcing tomorrow that their reserve team, The Attak, will be moving somewhere in the Montreal Area.
They will also confirm the signing of a few new players?? Most probably Reda Agourram coming up to play with the first team and Belarusian Valentin Radevich will be assigned to the Attak.
So, what will it be? The forming of the long talked about academy? The Attak moving to Laval as was rumored a few weeks ago?
Most people are betting that it has to do with the club once again becoming a "private" entity, thus putting an end to the non profit organization involving Saputo, Hydro-Quebec and the Quebec government. This step being necessary to make the transition to MLS in 2012 as is expected.
I guess we'll just have to wait and see...
Update: According to CKAC Sports, the Impact will be announcing tomorrow that their reserve team, The Attak, will be moving somewhere in the Montreal Area.
They will also confirm the signing of a few new players?? Most probably Reda Agourram coming up to play with the first team and Belarusian Valentin Radevich will be assigned to the Attak.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
USL/ NASL live back in 2010?
According to this article posted by Brian Quarstad over at Inside Minnesota Soccer, there will be some form of live streaming for USSF Division 2 games in 2010.
If this pans out, it will mean that once again Rhinos owner Rob Clark has jumped the gun and provided misleading info about the direction the league will be taking. He stated last week-end that there would be no USL Live type service this season.
If this pans out, it will mean that once again Rhinos owner Rob Clark has jumped the gun and provided misleading info about the direction the league will be taking. He stated last week-end that there would be no USL Live type service this season.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Top 10 moments in Montreal Impact history: Final List
The individual lists from all 5 participants can be found here.
After compiling the lists put forward by the 4 participants and myself, here are the "official" (Am I getting ahead of myself here!?) TOP 10 MOMENTS IN MONTREAL IMPACT HISTORY :
10) Montreal Impact domination of the Canadian club scene, winning 7 straight Voyageurs cups between 2002-2008
Although not a "single" moment, it would be almost impossible to overlook the firm grasp the Impact had on the Voyageurs Cup since the competition was created by the Canadian Soccer supporters group, the Voyageurs.
9) The Impact face-off against Bordeaux of France's Ligue 1 and storied Argentinian Club River Plate in the summer of 2009, easily the 2 greatest clubs ever faced by Montreal
8) The Impact being set up as a non-profit organization in 2002, thus allowing it to flourish into the successful and respected club we know today.
The club declared bankruptcy during the 2001 season when the then-owners were Ionian. Administered until the end of the season by Joey Saputo, the club rose from its ashes in 2002, set up as a non-profit organization owned by the Quebec government, Hydro-Quebec and Saputo.
7) Impact Montréal FC draws CD Olimpia 1-1 at Stade Saputo to qualify for the Quarter-finals of 2008/2009 Concacaf Champions League, the biggest achievement in Canadian club soccer history.
It was cold, windy and rainy on October 21st 2008, the stadium was more then half-empty but section 114 was packed and in full voice. An awesome first half goal by Roberto Brown was enough for the draw to put the Impact in the Quarter-Finals, a feat many believed impossible just a few weeks prior.
(Highlights and post-game celebrations begin at 2:53)
6) 2009 USL-1 Championship
The first all-Canadian USL-1 final saw the Impact win their 3rd title 6-3 on aggregate. It also marked Mauro Biello's last game as a player in an Impact uniform, he received a standing ovation from the sold out crowd when he was subbed in at the 81st minute. Roberto Brown was named the Championship MVP.
5) The construction and opening of Stade Saputo
When Stade Saputo was finally opened in 2008 it was a great moment in Montreal and Canadian soccer. It was the first soccer specific stadium in the country to be build with a natural grass playing surface. After only 2 years it has already hosted international matches, numerous CCL games and a Championship final.
4) 2004 A-League Championship
The Impact took its 2nd title in front of 13,648 fans crammed into the old Centre Claude Robillard. The A-League at the time was the highest level of pro soccer being played in Canada.
(locker room celebrations after the 2004 title)
3) 1994 American Professional Soccer League Championship
The Impact wins its 1st title in front of 8,169 fans at Centre Claude Robillard, beating the 2 time defending champion Colorado Foxes. In a way it was a true North American Title seeing as the APSL was the highest level of pro soccer in the United States and Canada at that time.
2) The Impact win the first edition of the Nutrilite Canadian Championship and their 7th straight Voyageurs cup by playing to a 1-1 draw against Toronto FC on July 22nd 2008 at BMO field
1) The Impact beat Santos Laguna 2-0 in front of 55,571 fans at the Olympic Stadium in the first leg of the Quarter-Finals of the 2008/2009 Concacaf Champions League
This game was without question the biggest moment in the 17 year history of the Montreal Impact, and I would also defy anybody to suggest that it was not also the greatest moment in Canadian Club soccer history. The Impact also set a record for the largest attendance ever for a Concacaf Champions League/Concacaf Champions Cup match.
After compiling the lists put forward by the 4 participants and myself, here are the "official" (Am I getting ahead of myself here!?) TOP 10 MOMENTS IN MONTREAL IMPACT HISTORY :
10) Montreal Impact domination of the Canadian club scene, winning 7 straight Voyageurs cups between 2002-2008
Although not a "single" moment, it would be almost impossible to overlook the firm grasp the Impact had on the Voyageurs Cup since the competition was created by the Canadian Soccer supporters group, the Voyageurs.
9) The Impact face-off against Bordeaux of France's Ligue 1 and storied Argentinian Club River Plate in the summer of 2009, easily the 2 greatest clubs ever faced by Montreal
8) The Impact being set up as a non-profit organization in 2002, thus allowing it to flourish into the successful and respected club we know today.
The club declared bankruptcy during the 2001 season when the then-owners were Ionian. Administered until the end of the season by Joey Saputo, the club rose from its ashes in 2002, set up as a non-profit organization owned by the Quebec government, Hydro-Quebec and Saputo.
7) Impact Montréal FC draws CD Olimpia 1-1 at Stade Saputo to qualify for the Quarter-finals of 2008/2009 Concacaf Champions League, the biggest achievement in Canadian club soccer history.
It was cold, windy and rainy on October 21st 2008, the stadium was more then half-empty but section 114 was packed and in full voice. An awesome first half goal by Roberto Brown was enough for the draw to put the Impact in the Quarter-Finals, a feat many believed impossible just a few weeks prior.
(Highlights and post-game celebrations begin at 2:53)
6) 2009 USL-1 Championship
The first all-Canadian USL-1 final saw the Impact win their 3rd title 6-3 on aggregate. It also marked Mauro Biello's last game as a player in an Impact uniform, he received a standing ovation from the sold out crowd when he was subbed in at the 81st minute. Roberto Brown was named the Championship MVP.
5) The construction and opening of Stade Saputo
When Stade Saputo was finally opened in 2008 it was a great moment in Montreal and Canadian soccer. It was the first soccer specific stadium in the country to be build with a natural grass playing surface. After only 2 years it has already hosted international matches, numerous CCL games and a Championship final.
4) 2004 A-League Championship
The Impact took its 2nd title in front of 13,648 fans crammed into the old Centre Claude Robillard. The A-League at the time was the highest level of pro soccer being played in Canada.
(locker room celebrations after the 2004 title)
3) 1994 American Professional Soccer League Championship
The Impact wins its 1st title in front of 8,169 fans at Centre Claude Robillard, beating the 2 time defending champion Colorado Foxes. In a way it was a true North American Title seeing as the APSL was the highest level of pro soccer in the United States and Canada at that time.
2) The Impact win the first edition of the Nutrilite Canadian Championship and their 7th straight Voyageurs cup by playing to a 1-1 draw against Toronto FC on July 22nd 2008 at BMO field
1) The Impact beat Santos Laguna 2-0 in front of 55,571 fans at the Olympic Stadium in the first leg of the Quarter-Finals of the 2008/2009 Concacaf Champions League
This game was without question the biggest moment in the 17 year history of the Montreal Impact, and I would also defy anybody to suggest that it was not also the greatest moment in Canadian Club soccer history. The Impact also set a record for the largest attendance ever for a Concacaf Champions League/Concacaf Champions Cup match.
The 5 "Top 10 moments in Montreal Impact History" lists
So here we go, the 5 "Top 10" lists from all participants in no particular order:
Daniel, UM02 Founder :
1) Impact wins 2008 Voyageurs cup in Toronto to secure a berth in the Concacaf Champions League
2) 2004 A-League Championship
3) 2009 USL-1 Championship
4) Santos Laguna- Impact in front of 55,000+ at the Big O 2008/2009 Concacaf Champions League QF
5) 1994 APSL Championship
6) Impact draws CD Olimpia of Honduras 1-1 at Stade Saputo to qualify for the QF of the CCL
7) The opening of Stade Saputo
8) 2004 A-League playoff series against Rochester
9) Former Head Coach Bob Lilley quits
10) Joe Public- Montreal Impact at Stade Saputo in the CCL Group stage
Jeremy, Onze Montréal :
1) 1994 APSL Championship
2) The opening of Stade Saputo
3) Being set-up as a Non-profit organization in 2001/2002 with the support of the Quebec Government, Hydro-Quebec and Saputo.
4) 2009 USL-1 Championship
5) 2004 A-League Championship
6) Santos Laguna- Impact in front of 55,000+ at the Big O 2008/2009 Concacaf Champions League QF
7) Creation of UM02
8) Mauro Biello's 25,000 minutes
9) 2008/2009 Concacaf champions League Run
10) Impact wins 2008 Voyageurs cup in Toronto to secure a berth in the Concacaf Champions League
Penz, active and long-time member of UM02 :
1) Santos Laguna- Impact in front of 55,000+ at the Big O 2008/2009 Concacaf Champions League QF
2) The opening of Stade Saputo
3) Impact wins 2008 Voyageurs cup in Toronto to secure a berth in the Concacaf Champions League
4) 1994 APSL Championship
5) Being set-up as a Non-profit organization in 2001/2002 with the support of the Quebec Government, Hydro-Quebec and Saputo.
6) Montreal Impact domination of the Canadian Club scene, winning 7 straight Voyageurs cups between 2002-2008
7) Impact draws CD Olimpia of Honduras 1-1 at Stade Saputo to qualify for the QF of the CCL
8) 2004 A-League Championship
9) 2009 USL-1 Championship
10) Marc Dos Santos named Head Coach in 2009
Franck, Montreal at the Offside :
1) Santos Laguna- Impact in front of 55,000+ at the Big O 2008/2009 Concacaf Champions League QF
2) 1994 APSL Championship
3) Impact wins 2008 Voyageurs cup in Toronto to secure a berth in the Concacaf Champions League
4) 2004 A-League Championship
5) 2009 USL-1 Championship
6) Impact plays its first international match VS Real Esteli of Nicaragua in the preliminary round of the 2008/2009 Concacaf Champions League
7) Mauro Biello retires after 16 seasons with the Impact
8) The opening of Stade Saputo
9) Impact squares off VS Bordeaux and River Plate in late July/Early August 2009, easily the greatest clubs the Impact has ever faced.
10) The Impact lose for the 4th time in the playoffs to Rochester in September 2003, although not a highlight for the Impact, it set in stone a brewing rivalry that has lasted until today.
Steven Beauregard, Soccer Montréal :
1) Impact wins 2008 Voyageurs cup in Toronto to secure a berth in the Concacaf Champions League
2) Santos Laguna- Impact in front of 55,000+ at the Big O 2008/2009 Concacaf Champions League QF
3) 2004 A-League Championship
4) Impact draws CD Olimpia of Honduras 1-1 at Stade Saputo to qualify for the QF of the CCL
5) The opening of Stade Saputo
6) 1994 APSL Championship
7) 2009 USL-1 Championship
8) Impact squares off VS Bordeaux and River Plate in late July/Early August 2009, easily the greatest clubs the Impact has ever faced
9) Beating CD Olimpia in Honduras 2-1 in the group stage of the 2008/2009 Concacaf Champions League
10) Being set-up as a Non-profit organization in 2001/2002 with the support of the Quebec Government, Hydro-Quebec and Saputo.
Thanks once again to all who participated!
The final list of the Top 10 moments in Montreal Impact history will be posted now.
Daniel, UM02 Founder :
1) Impact wins 2008 Voyageurs cup in Toronto to secure a berth in the Concacaf Champions League
2) 2004 A-League Championship
3) 2009 USL-1 Championship
4) Santos Laguna- Impact in front of 55,000+ at the Big O 2008/2009 Concacaf Champions League QF
5) 1994 APSL Championship
6) Impact draws CD Olimpia of Honduras 1-1 at Stade Saputo to qualify for the QF of the CCL
7) The opening of Stade Saputo
8) 2004 A-League playoff series against Rochester
9) Former Head Coach Bob Lilley quits
10) Joe Public- Montreal Impact at Stade Saputo in the CCL Group stage
Jeremy, Onze Montréal :
1) 1994 APSL Championship
2) The opening of Stade Saputo
3) Being set-up as a Non-profit organization in 2001/2002 with the support of the Quebec Government, Hydro-Quebec and Saputo.
4) 2009 USL-1 Championship
5) 2004 A-League Championship
6) Santos Laguna- Impact in front of 55,000+ at the Big O 2008/2009 Concacaf Champions League QF
7) Creation of UM02
8) Mauro Biello's 25,000 minutes
9) 2008/2009 Concacaf champions League Run
10) Impact wins 2008 Voyageurs cup in Toronto to secure a berth in the Concacaf Champions League
Penz, active and long-time member of UM02 :
1) Santos Laguna- Impact in front of 55,000+ at the Big O 2008/2009 Concacaf Champions League QF
2) The opening of Stade Saputo
3) Impact wins 2008 Voyageurs cup in Toronto to secure a berth in the Concacaf Champions League
4) 1994 APSL Championship
5) Being set-up as a Non-profit organization in 2001/2002 with the support of the Quebec Government, Hydro-Quebec and Saputo.
6) Montreal Impact domination of the Canadian Club scene, winning 7 straight Voyageurs cups between 2002-2008
7) Impact draws CD Olimpia of Honduras 1-1 at Stade Saputo to qualify for the QF of the CCL
8) 2004 A-League Championship
9) 2009 USL-1 Championship
10) Marc Dos Santos named Head Coach in 2009
Franck, Montreal at the Offside :
1) Santos Laguna- Impact in front of 55,000+ at the Big O 2008/2009 Concacaf Champions League QF
2) 1994 APSL Championship
3) Impact wins 2008 Voyageurs cup in Toronto to secure a berth in the Concacaf Champions League
4) 2004 A-League Championship
5) 2009 USL-1 Championship
6) Impact plays its first international match VS Real Esteli of Nicaragua in the preliminary round of the 2008/2009 Concacaf Champions League
7) Mauro Biello retires after 16 seasons with the Impact
8) The opening of Stade Saputo
9) Impact squares off VS Bordeaux and River Plate in late July/Early August 2009, easily the greatest clubs the Impact has ever faced.
10) The Impact lose for the 4th time in the playoffs to Rochester in September 2003, although not a highlight for the Impact, it set in stone a brewing rivalry that has lasted until today.
Steven Beauregard, Soccer Montréal :
1) Impact wins 2008 Voyageurs cup in Toronto to secure a berth in the Concacaf Champions League
2) Santos Laguna- Impact in front of 55,000+ at the Big O 2008/2009 Concacaf Champions League QF
3) 2004 A-League Championship
4) Impact draws CD Olimpia of Honduras 1-1 at Stade Saputo to qualify for the QF of the CCL
5) The opening of Stade Saputo
6) 1994 APSL Championship
7) 2009 USL-1 Championship
8) Impact squares off VS Bordeaux and River Plate in late July/Early August 2009, easily the greatest clubs the Impact has ever faced
9) Beating CD Olimpia in Honduras 2-1 in the group stage of the 2008/2009 Concacaf Champions League
10) Being set-up as a Non-profit organization in 2001/2002 with the support of the Quebec Government, Hydro-Quebec and Saputo.
Thanks once again to all who participated!
The final list of the Top 10 moments in Montreal Impact history will be posted now.
Top 10 moments in Montreal Impact history : Update
Due to a tougher and more busy week then anticipated in the glorious world of deadlines and paid work, the Final list of "Top 10 moments" and the individual participants lists will be posted late Wednesday evening/ Early Thursday morning.
Stay tuned..
Stay tuned..
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Top 10 moments in Montreal Impact history : The participants
So it's done. I received and compiled the "Top 10 moments" lists from all the participants and the Top 10 moments in Montreal Impact history have been chosen.
To start off I will introduce the 4 people who were generous enough to give me some of their time to help me put this list together:
1) Franck, who is the Montreal Impact blogger for the Offside
2) Penz, an active and long-standing member of Ultras Montréal
3) Jeremy, who blogs in french about the Impact and Canadian soccer at Onze Montréal
4) Daniel, Founder of Ultras Montréal
And lastly
5) Myself. Soccer geek and blogger for this very important site, Soccer Montréal.
Just as a refresher here is how the point system will work to determine the final "Top 10" list ( I tweeked it a little to make it a bit more simple) :
One (1) point will be assigned to the number 10 "Top Moment" on each participants list, two (2) points for number 9, three (3) points for number 8 ect. until we get to the #1 on each list which will be awarded 10 points.
Each participant's "Top 10 list" will be posted by mid week, along with the final more descriptive "Top 10 moments in Montreal Impact history".
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Mediator appointed for MLS CBA talks spells good news for Montreal MLS announcement?
According to a Toronto star article, a federal mediator has been appointed to sit in at the negotiation table with management and the Major League Soccer Players Union.
Sticking points are free agency and guaranteed contracts.
Hopefully this will bring about some advancement in the labor talks, as having the season start on time is very important for all of us who are anticipating an announcement on Montreal joining MLS in 2012.
For those of you who have not yet had a chance to take a look at this, here's an interesting Ben Rycroft article discussing the agreement that apparently went down at the MLS cup to bring the Impact into MLS.
More soon..
Sticking points are free agency and guaranteed contracts.
Hopefully this will bring about some advancement in the labor talks, as having the season start on time is very important for all of us who are anticipating an announcement on Montreal joining MLS in 2012.
For those of you who have not yet had a chance to take a look at this, here's an interesting Ben Rycroft article discussing the agreement that apparently went down at the MLS cup to bring the Impact into MLS.
More soon..
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Top 10 moments in Montreal Impact history
We're on the cusp of a new season, so I figured it would be fun to get together a few supporters and other Impact bloggers to come up with a "Top 10 moments in Montreal Impact history".
They can be games, incidents or any other kind of event involving the Impact.
Here's how it will work:
- Ideally 5-10 people (including myself) would participate
- Each person will submit their list of Top 10 moments in Montreal Impact history
- Seeing as the team has only been in existence since 1993 (practically a fossil in North American footy..) there is bound to be a lot of repeats in the different lists, so I have established a point system.
One (1) point will be assigned to the number 10 "Top Moment" on each participants list, two (2) points for number 9, three (3) points for number 8 ect. until we get to the #1 on each list which will be awarded 10 points.
* In the case of a tie between several different "Top 10" moments, all participants will vote to determine which "top 10 moment" will be listed higher.
- All participants lists will be posted on the blog as well as the final list of "Top 10 moments in Montreal Impact history"
Those interested in participating leave a message in the comments or email me @ soccermontreal@live.com...
I will also contact a few people by private message in the various Montreal Impact forums.
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