Montreal Impact - 08/09 - TalkSoccer

**Frank Cunha** · 12-08-2004, 02:09 AM

1,200 SEATS ADDED FOR THE GAME IN SHERBROOKE

SHERBROOKE, August 11, 2004 — Christian Gagnon, Director of Sherbrooke University’s Service du sport et de l’activité physique, announced on Wednesday that 1,200 seats had been added for the game the Montreal Impact will play on August 22 at Sherbrooke University Stadium.

It will bring the total capacity to 9,000 seats for the A-League regular-season match-up.

Mr. Gagnon confirmed that, following promotional efforts by Soccer Estrie for the upcoming game, over 8,000 tickets had already been sold.

"To answer the great demand, stands have been added in order to offer more seating to soccer fans from the area," said Mr. Gagnon at a press conference. "But tickets are going fast!"

"This year, the Montreal Impact has had exceptional support from its fans," said Impact head coach Nick DeSantis, who was on hand along with midfielder Patrick Leduc. "I’m happy to see that we have the same kind of support in Sherbrooke."

Organizers also announced that Sonia Denoncourt, now a FIFA referee instructor, would be the event’s honourary president. This Sherbrooke native, a FIFA member since 1994, was a referee for 24 years, the last 10 at the international level. On Sunday, August 22, at the Sherbrooke University cafeteria, she will take part in a luncheon where she will share her experience with some of the region’s referees.

Jean-Pierre Boucher, member of the organizing committee and head of the SSAP program, announced that several events will be held in conjunction with the Impact game.

"Following excellent cooperation between the SSAP and Soccer Estrie, we were able to put together several activities that will enable us to celebrate the vitality of soccer in our region," he said.

The Impact will hold a public practice, while head coach Nick DeSantis will hold a soccer clinic for local coaches. Vert & Or teams will play friendly games and the Nike Technical Games regional finals will also be held.

League activities will cease in Sherbrooke on that day, in order to allow thousands of young boys and girls who play soccer to go see the Impact play.

Tickets for the game are on sale at the Sherbrooke University Cultural Centre or can be purchased by phone at 819-820-1000.

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SOURCE:
bcomm

INFO:
Stéphane Banfi
514-328-3668 (ext. 27)

revolutionfan · 12-08-2004, 02:43 AM

Impressive!::leedswac

**Jager** · 12-08-2004, 06:23 PM

Poor Expos, it really is unfortunate. But what the hell, MLB has more problems than it cares to admit, and the Expos are the tip of the iceberg.

Good for the Impact though....

**Frank Cunha** · 12-08-2004, 08:01 PM

Montreal Maniac use to draw big in the old NASL

**Jager** · 12-08-2004, 08:03 PM

Well I hope they are considered for expansion in the future. Many immigrants in that part of Canada, who have football as their main sport.

revolutionfan · 13-08-2004, 07:52 PM

Soccer should become the 4th sport here soon. Hockey is dieing. Basketball is too.

revolutionfan · 13-08-2004, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jager
Well I hope they are considered for expansion in the future. Many immigrants in that part of Canada, who have football as their main sport.

As long as they don't think the CFL is a soccer league and go to that instead.:

:

**Jager** · 13-08-2004, 08:09 PM

CFL is actually doing well in Canada, it has been reborn. Hockey is still number 1 in Canada. That will never change.

Hockey was never popular in the states, the wwe(pro wrestling and nascar) are more popular.

Football number 1, and I think baseball 2..If I'm not mistaken.

revolutionfan · 13-08-2004, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jager
CFL is actually doing well in Canada, it has been reborn. Hockey is still number 1 in Canada. That will never change.

Hockey was never popular in the states, the wwe(pro wrestling and nascar) are more popular.

Football number 1, and I think baseball 2..If I'm not mistaken.

For the Hockey and Basketball thing I meant in the US.

**Jager** · 13-08-2004, 08:21 PM

I know, just thought I would add my two cents...

I sure hope soccer rises, and becomes number 2 or 3, as I feel it would catapult it, in my country.

**Frank Cunha** · 16-08-2004, 03:21 AM

Record Setting Impact Edge Puerto Rico 15/08/04
Sebrango took advantage of a perfect cross by Chris Williams to score on a header. It was his seventh goal of the season, his fifth in his last eight games.

"We needed the three points," said Sebrango. "Personally, I wanted to have a good second half to the season and to be ready for the playoffs."

The Impact has a lifetime record of 3-0-1 in games played in Quebec City, without ever allowing a single goal in four match-ups. Montreal tied an A-League record by collecting its 17th shutout of the season. Andrew Olivieri picked up his second shutout in as many starts this season. Adding Greg Sutton’s 15, head coach Nick DeSantis’ team ties the A-League record that was first set in 1998 by the Rochester Rhinos and repeated in 2002 by the Charleston Battery.

"I knew I would see more action than last time, against Calgary," said Olivieri, who got a hand on a shot by Edivaldo DaSilva to deflect the ball on the crossbar and out of bounds. "But again, the guys in front of me did well, the team was solid defensively."

The Impact extended its undefeated streak to six games (5-0-1). The team hasn’t allowed a goal during that stretch. The team’s six straight shutouts — two by Oliviero, four by Sutton — extend the club record. With the win, the Impact takes over first place in the Eastern Conference, two points ahead of the Richmond Kickers. Montreal has one game in hand over the Virginia-based team.

Montreal dominated the first half 6-1 in shots, but had trouble keeping the same pace in the second half (2-2), at least until the last 10 minutes, as the substitutes sent in by DeSantis, including Williams, Chris Lemire and Yuri Lavrynenko, gave a second breath to the attack.

"Usually, we get better as the game progresses. This time, in the second half, we were slow in the midfield," said DeSantis. "But we have depth and it paid off. The guys who came off the bench made the difference."

On the sequence that led to the goal, Williams, who came in for defender Adam Braz at the 64th minute of played, raced down the right side and sent in a curving cross in the penalty area, where Sebrango came in and headed the ball at full speed.

Since the Can-Am Cup final, which was originally slated for August 18, has been cancelled, the Impact’s next game will be on Sunday, August 22, against the Atlanta Silverbacks (4:00 pm, CJAD, CKAC). The Montreal club will be back at Claude Robillard Sports Complex, Wednesday, August 25, to face the Edmonton FC (7:30 pm, CKAC).

revolutionfan · 16-08-2004, 03:47 AM

Go Impact!::leedswac

**Frank Cunha** · 16-08-2004, 03:48 AM

how's the crowds in Puerto Rico/

revolutionfan · 16-08-2004, 03:57 AM

Latest attendance numbers
As of Aug, 8th:

Team...........G...Total..Average
Rochester.....11..109,896..9,991
Montreal......10...91,780..9,178
Syracuse......11...64,908..5,901
Portland......10...47,911..4,791
Vancouver.....11...52,006..4,728
Puerto Rico...14...54,441..3,889
Charleston....11...42,024..3,820
Minnesota.....12...34,005..2,834
Seattle.......11...29,572..2,688
Toronto.......10...26,048..2,605
Richmond......12...28,315..2,360
Edmonton......10...17,841..1,784
Atlanta.......12...19,431..1,619
Milwaukee.....12...18,750..1,563
Calgary.......10...13,776..1,378
Va.Beach......11...14,677..1,334
TOTAL........178..665,381..3,738

**Frank Cunha** · 16-08-2004, 08:28 PM

not bad for a II division

Impact Clinches Playoff Berth 16/08/04
Following the 2-1 loss suffered by the Rochester Rhinos against the Atlanta Silverbacks, Sunday night, the Montreal Impact has clinched a spot in the A-League playoffs for the eighth time in the club’s 11-year existence.
The Impact’s 1-0 victory picked up against the Puerto Rico Islanders, Saturday in Quebec City, combined with the Rhinos’ loss, Sunday night, results in Rochester being no longer able to catch up to Montreal in the standings. Only the Richmond Kickers, the Syracuse Salty Dogs and the Atlanta Silverbacks can still hope to overtake coach Nick DeSantis’ squad by the end of the regular season, at least mathematically.

The result: the Impact is now certain of earning one of the four post-season berths awarded in the Eastern Conference.

"It’s great to make the playoffs," said DeSantis. "You have to give credit to the players. They’ve performed all year. They have all contributed to the team’s success at one point or another."

With four games to go in the regular season, which will end on August 29, the Impact is first in the East, two points ahead of the Richmond Kickers. Montreal has one game in hand.

"Our objective was always to make the playoffs first, and we’ve accomplished that," said DeSantis. "With two weeks left until the end of the season, we now have the luxury to make certain decisions as far as who will play and who we’ll rest. We’re still aiming for first place, but we can also be mindful to finish the season off so that we start the playoffs healthy and confident."

The first playoff round will be a home-and-away, aggregate-goal series. Games will be played September 3 and 5. The team that finishes higher in the standings will host the game of its choice.

Tickets for the playoffs will be on sale Wednesday, at the Impact office (514-328-3668) or via Réseau Admission. Prices will be the same than in the regular season: $15 for reserved seating, $10 (adults) and $5 (kids) in general admission.