Re: MLS to play in Montreal in 2012 GOALKEEPER EVAN BUSH JOINS THE IMPACT MONTREAL – The Montreal Impact announced on Friday the signing of goalkeeper Evan Bush for the 2011 season. Bush, who turned 25 years-old on March 6, played in 25 games with Baltimore Crystal Palace last season. In 2009, he donned the uniform of the Cleveland City Stars, also in second division. He played his first professional game on May 30, 2009, against Charleston. He has also worn the colours of the Chicago Fire Premier, in 2006, the reserve team for the Chicago Fire (MLS). The goalkeeper, originally from Concord Township, Ohio, played his college career with Akron, from 2005 to 2008. “Evan Bush is an excellent addition to our goalkeeper core,” said Matt Jordan, Impact director of soccer operations and former team goalkeeper from 2007 to 2010. He is a proven player in our league and from what he has shown us thus far, he will fit well into our team. Being in Montreal will provide him with a great opportunity to continue growing as a player.” http://www.montrealimpact.com/News/News.aspx?language=EN&ArticleID=1568&Focus=0
Re: MLS to play in Montreal in 2012 THE IMPACT PLAYS ITS SECOND INTER-CLUB MATCH MONTREAL – The Montreal Impact played a second pre-season inter-club match on Friday, at the Centre d'activités physiques et communautaires de l'Est, near Marie-Victorin College, in Montreal. The first team defeated the U21 Academy 2-1. Forward Reda Agourram (1st minute) and midfielder Anthony Le Gall (65th minute) scored for the winning side, while midfielder Wandrille Lefebvre (54th minute) scored for the Impact’s reserve team. http://www.montrealimpact.com/News/News.aspx?language=EN&ArticleID=1570&Focus=0
Re: MLS to play in Montreal in 2012 Joey Saputo: “I want to be vigilant as a viewer in order to dissect how the Whitecaps did things" This extra attention can also explained by the fact that, unless one lives on Mars, all Quebecers know that the Impact will follow in the footsteps of the Whitecaps in one year and will then become the 19th MLS franchise and the third Canadian club to play in North America’s premiere league. Therefore, all elements are in place for members of the Montreal Impact to feel keyed up for the clash between the Reds and the Caps, whether they be the owner, the executive vice president, the director of soccer operations, an assistant coach or a player. President Joey Saputo is also excited to watch the historical duel between Vancouver and Toronto. “I want to be vigilant as a viewer in order to dissect the differences between how the Whitecaps did things as members of the second division and how they went about creating the best first impression for their fans now that they are in a new league and a new stadium." Dissecting the "show" in a visual sense is one thing, but practically, administrative issues will also be a focal point when Joey Saputo watches the game. "As we will want to do better next year than what has been done in the past, I'll pay attention to many details,” he says. “For example, how will the Whitecaps engage their new fans, their 15,000 season ticket holders, in order to encourage them to return? How will they give visibility to their business partners?" http://www.montrealimpact.com/News/News.aspx?language=EN&ArticleID=1571&Focus=0
Re: MLS to play in Montreal in 2012 PATRICK LEDUC ANNOUNCES HIS RETIREMENT BROSSARD – Midfielder Patrick Leduc announced his retirement Tuesday, after an 11-year professional career, all with the Montreal Impact. Leduc kicked off his career with the Impact in 2000 and played a total of 222 regular season matches, good for third in club history. He started 163 games for a total of 15,166 minutes, good for 5th with the Impact. In a defensive role, he tallied 10 goals and 16 assists (6th) for a total of 36 points. "I'm hanging up the boots and I’m in peace with my decision," said Leduc. "To the whole Montreal Impact organization and its president Joey Saputo, I want to say thank you for building a platform to let me play and do what I like the most, here in Montreal, close to where I grew up. I am proud to have contributed to the two championships and the first Canadian championship. Those are my greatest memories with the Impact." http://www.montrealimpact.com/News/News.aspx?language=EN&ArticleID=1578&Focus=0
Re: MLS to play in Montreal in 2012 MIDFIELDER AMIR LOWERY JOINS THE IMPACT MONTREAL – The Montreal Impact announced Wednesday the signing of American midfielder Amir Lowery for the 2011 season. Lowery, 27, played the last two seasons with the Carolina RailHawks, finalists in last year’s playoffs. In two seasons with Carolina, he played a total of 4,130 minutes over 54 matches. Ahead of joining the Impact, Lowery played two pre-season matches on February 5 and 12, with Finland’s FC Honka. In 2005, the Washington native was the third-round choice of the Colorado Rapids (45th overall), in the MLS Superdraft. Lowery played two matches with the Rapids, before getting loaned to the Atlanta Silverbacks for the rest of the 2005 season. He then went to the Kansas City Wizards (MLS) for the 2007 season and played 13 matches with the reserve team. Lowery also played for the reserve team of the San Jose Earthquakes in 2008. His college soccer was played at Wake Forest University, from 2001 to 2004 http://www.montrealimpact.com/News/News.aspx?language=EN&ArticleID=1579&Focus=0
Re: MLS to play in Montreal in 2012 PRESEASON FRIENDLIES BROSSARD – The Montreal Impact lost 2-1 to McGill University in its second-to-last game of its preseason camp, Friday, at the Bell Sports Complex in Brossard. Midfielder Luke Kreamalmeyer scored the lone goal for the Impact in the 80th minute on a penalty, following a foul committed on Anthony Le Gall in the 18-yard box. Kreamalmeyer fired shot in the upper left corner, leaving no chance for the McGill goalkeeper. http://www.montrealimpact.com/News/News.aspx?language=EN&ArticleID=1580&Focus=0 BROSSARD – In the last pre-season match of its training camp, the Montreal Impact signed a 7-0 shutout win against a selection of university players, Sunday afternoon, at the Bell Sports Complex, in Brossard. Forward Pierre-Rudolph Mayard scored three goals (11th, 40th and 51st minute), while striker Ali Gerba tallied five points, two goals (65th and 87th minute) and three assists. Midfielders Luke Kreamalmeyer (19th) and Anthony Le Gall (39th) also scored for the Impact in that victory. http://www.montrealimpact.com/News/News.aspx?language=EN&ArticleID=1581&Focus=0
Re: MLS to play in Montreal in 2012 CLAUDE PINARD JOINS THE IMPACT AND SAPUTO STADIUM MONTREAL – The Montreal Impact announced Monday the hiring of Claude Pinard as the Chief business officer of the Montreal Impact and Saputo Stadium. Claude Pinard, who has been working as a consultant within the organization since January, is officially on board with the club since April 1, 2011. He will oversee all of the team’s ticket sales, corporate partnerships, television broadcasting rights, marketing and merchandising. “I’m very pleased to be joining the Montreal Impact with less than a year to go before the club’s ascension into Major League Soccer (MLS),” said Claude Pinard. “It’s an exciting and historic time for Montreal and for soccer in Quebec. I’ve always been involved in sports and truly believe in the fundamental values. This is an extraordinary opportunity for me.” http://www.montrealimpact.com/News/News.aspx?language=EN&ArticleID=1582&Focus=0
Re: MLS to play in Montreal in 2012 MONTREAL – With its 2012 Major League Soccer (MLS) debut quickly approaching, the Montreal Impact have teamed up with Sid Lee to draw up a game plan that will hit home with Quebecers and highlight the importance of this new chapter for the club. Sid Lee will provide the Impact with marketing/communication services and will develop its brand strategy. ABOUT SID LEE – http://WWW.SIDLEE.COM We are a multidisciplinary creative team of 450 artisans of many persuasions. We work globally for top-tier clients from our Montreal, Amsterdam, Paris and Toronto ateliers. We are people passionate about embedding brands, products, spaces and services with meaning and resonance. http://www.montrealimpact.com/News/News.aspx?language=EN&ArticleID=1586&Focus=0
Re: MLS to play in Montreal in 2012 IMPACT 0:1 TAMPA BAY ST. PETERSBURG – The Montreal Impact (0-1-0) kicked off the 18th season in club history with a 1-0 loss versus FC Tampa Bay (1-0-0), Saturday, at Al Lang Stadium, in St. Petersburg, Florida. Midfielder Takuya Yamada scored the game-winning goal for FC Tampa Bay in the 87th minute of play. Yamada beat goalkeeper Bill Gaudette with a shot from about 30 metres. “We played the kind of match we needed to play on the road," said Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. “We created a number of chances for ourselves, but their goalkeeper made at least three key saves. It’s unfortunate because we deserved at least a point tonight.” http://www.montrealimpact.com/News/News.aspx?language=EN&ArticleID=1590&Focus=0
Re: MLS to play in Montreal in 2012 IMPACT 1 CAROLINA 2 CARY, North Carolina - The Montreal Impact (0-2-0) lost 2-1 against the Carolina RailHawks (1-1-0) on Saturday night at WakeMed Soccer Park, in Cary, North Carolina. Kevin Hatchi (11th minute) scored the only goal for the Impact, while Étienne Barbara (22nd minute) and Pablo Campos (35th minute) scored for Carolina. The Impact opened the scoring at the 11th minute. Following a corner from Philippe Billy, defender Zurab Tsiskaridze took a low shot from 20 meters, and defender Kevin Hatchi tipped the ball, as he was standing close to RailHawks goalkeeper Brad Knighton. Hatchi was playing his first career game with the Impact. http://www.montrealimpact.com/News/News.aspx?language=EN&ArticleID=1597&Focus=0
Re: MLS to play in Montreal in 2012 FC Tampa Bay Earns Scoreless Draw at Montreal FC Tampa Bay earned a well-deserved point Saturday afternoon as it played to a 0-0 draw against Montreal at Saputo Stadium. "Hopefully the players will take some real confidence from this," said head coach Ricky Hill. "As far as momentum and belief for our team, for us to come here and really keep possession well and give them very few opportunities, was very heartening." "I think because of the conditions and the wind, I implored the guys to keep the ball on the ground as much as possible," said Hill. "I am very pleased that the guys trusted each other and did an excellent job sharing the ball, but I was disappointed that we didn't create more cleaner opportunities up top." GK Daryl Sattler made several key saves throughout the game, including a stop on Montreal F Idriss Ech Chergui in the 37th minute on a shot from outside the area. Sattler and the FC Tampa Bay defense posted its second shutout in three games thus far in 2011. "The foundation of any good side is to have a solid defense," said Hill. "Defending is a team game and the entire team played a large part in keeping a clean sheet today. And offensively, we are still working to convert our opportunites more often and frequently." http://www.nasl.com/index.php?id=3&newsid=366
Re: MLS to play in Montreal in 2012 TOP 5 - MOST MEMORABLE HOME OPENERS From Tampa Bay in 1993 to Tampa Bay in 2011, here’s a look back at five of the most memorable home openers the Impact has had over the years. http://www.impactmontreal.com/News/News.aspx?language=EN&ArticleID=1603&Focus=0
Re: MLS to play in Montreal in 2012 ALI GERBA AND BILL GAUDETTE NAMED NASL PLAYERS OF THE WEEK MONTREAL – Forward Ali Gerba and goalkeeper Bill Gaudette were both named on Monday Players of the Week in the North American Soccer League (NASL), following the Impact 5-0 shutout win on Sunday night in Edmonton. Gerba was named Offensive Player of the Week after scoring two goals against FC Edmonton. The Impact striker registered his first two goals of the season in the first half. He scored more than one goal in a regular season game for the 7th time of his career and reached the 50-point mark, now ranking 7th in all-time leading scorers in team history. Gaudette earned the Defensive Player of the Week honour after recording his second shutout of the season. He made seven saves and faced 11 shots versus FC Edmonton. The Impact has not allowed a goal in the last 235 minutes of regular season play. http://www.montrealimpact.com/News/News.aspx?language=EN&ArticleID=1612&Focus=0
Re: MLS to play in Montreal in 2012 Montreal Impact Matchday Live webstream of friendly to begin at 7:00 PM ET The Red Bulls head north of the border to take on the Montreal Impact in a friendly at Montreal’s Saputo Stadium on Wednesday night. The match kicks off at 7:30 PM ET, but you can follow all the action right here via live stream courtesy of Montreal Impact. Impact announcer Brian Wilde will handle the play-by-play, and Noel Butler will provide expert analysis. The stream will begin 30 minutes prior to kickoff with a pre-game show. A post-game show will begin at the conclusion of the friendly http://www.newyorkredbulls.com/news/2011/05/new-york-red-bulls-vs-montreal-impact-matchday
Re: MLS to play in Montreal in 2012 NEW YORK 0 IMPACT 1 MONTREAL – The Montreal Impact shut out the New York Red Bulls, a Major League Soccer club, 1-0 on Wednesday in front of 12,568 fans at Saputo Stadium. Standing in the 18-yard box, striker Ali Gerba scored the only goal of the game at the 37th minute, when he deflected with his head a long cross from defender Philippe Billy, beating former Impact goalkeeper Greg Sutton, who played the full game for New York. http://www.montrealimpact.com/News/News.aspx?language=EN&ArticleID=1620&Focus=0
