This A-League regular-season match-up will be organized by Sherbrooke University’s Service du sport et de l’activité physique (SSAP). For the occasion, organizers hope to attract 6,000 spectators.
"We’re very pleased about playing this game in Sherbrooke," said Impact Vice-President Technical and Finance Nick Filippone. "This is a unique occasion for the thousands of soccer fans in the area to get a closer look at our club and to get to know our players better."
This will be the first time the Impact plays a regular-season game in Sherbrooke. However, it will not be the first time the Montreal team will be playing a "home" game away from Claude Robillard Stadium, having previously played regular-season games in Quebec City and Ottawa.
"Our games in Quebec City proved to be a very positive experience, so we were quite open to repeating it elsewhere in the province," added Mr. Filippone. "Playing a game in Sherbrooke, one of the most dynamic areas for soccer in Quebec, was only logical, especially when you consider that the Impact not only represents Montreal, but the rest of the province as well."
"It’s always exciting for the players to play a game like this," said Impact head coach Nick DeSantis, who participated in the games in Quebec City and Ottawa as a player. "The reception is great and it gives the players a chance to meet their fans elsewhere in the province. I have no doubt this game will be an event not to be missed, because of the calibre of play but also because of the great atmosphere surrounding it."
The Impact has played three matches in the Quebec City area, including last August 16 against the Syracuse Salty Dogs in front of 8,623 spectators at Laval University’s PEPS Stadium. The Montreal team also faced the Pittsburgh Riverhounds in front of 5,461 fans on August 2, 2002, as well the Rochester Rhinos on June 9, 1996 in Charlesbourg, before a crowd of 5,344 people.
The Impact also met against the Toronto Lynx twice in Ottawa, each time on July 1st, in 1997 and 1998.
The Montreal squad has an overall record of 4-0-1 with no goals allowed in these games.
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SOURCE:
bcomm
INFO:
Stéphane Banfi
514-328-3668 (ext. 27)
