On June 5, the Impact U16 and U18 teams both won their last game of the USSDA season against Beachside SC, reaching the playoffs. The U18s ended the season with a 14-4-8 record, while the U16s posted a 14-5-7 record.
The first playoff round starts on June 22, in Dallas, Texas. 32 teams qualified for the playoffs out of 74 teams in each age category. After the teams have been split into eight groups of four, each team plays the other three once. Only the group winner qualifies for the quarterfinals. All three games are played within five days.
Here is the schedule for the Montreal Impact U16 and U18 teams:
June 22
5pm – Impact U16 vs Real So Cal
7:30pm – Impact U18 vs Players Development Academy
June 24
5pm – Impact U16 vs Sacramento Republic
7:30pm – Impact U18 vs Chicago Magic PSG
June 26
5pm – Impact U16 vs Crew SC Academy Wolves
7:30pm – Impact U18 vs Arsenal FC
The assistant fitness coach of the Academy, Jules Gueguen, answered a few questions on the preparation required for the first USSDA playoff round.
Q – What’s important in the preparation for a series of three games in such a short time?
A – In this series of three games in five days, one of the most important factors will be to guide the athletes in their preparation off the field. We established protocols for game day with times to eat meals and snacks, controlled by our nutritionist, and muscular and cognitive activation sessions with the technical staff to get the players ready as much as possible for game time.
We also have post game protocols including what athletes have to drink and eat and what they need to do in the two hours following the game. These protocols continue in the transition days – starting with the morning after –, where we have muscle toning activities with light activation and range of motion sessions, followed by a pool session later in the day.
Despite the circumstances, if we control all the recovery factors, we believe we can offer athletes an optimization of their fitness for the entire first playoff round. By controlling these factors, the athletes will remain focused on our philosophy of play and on the will to get results in the difficult conditions of these playoffs.
Q – Is having both teams together in the playoffs an advantage, and does that help work with both groups on certain aspects?
A – I would say that having both teams at the same time has some advantages. Both teams will benefit from the same recovery protocols that are really similar, but the best thing is the sense of belonging. Both teams know each other well since they are together on a daily basis at the training centre. But living these moments together with the two age groups helps solidify this sense of belonging.
