The Impact will kick off the 2008 season in the United Soccer Leagues First Division, Saturday April 12, in Vancouver, against its Canadian rivals.
“We are looking forward to our first game at Saputo Stadium,” said Montreal Impact head coach Nick De Santis. We've been waiting two years for this moment, so it will be incredible to play on this natural grass field. The schedule is much more balanced than last year for every team, so this is positive. Once again, we will have to start the season with good results on the road. It will not be easy, but our objective is to play the first game at home with a winning record.”
After playing the first six games on the road, the Impact will play seven of the ten following games at home. Impact games at Saputo Stadium will mainly be played Friday and Wednesday evenings, as well as Sunday afternoons.
For the first time in USL D1 history, the 11 teams will be playing a 30-game schedule, instead of 28. Each club will play each opponent three times during the regular season.
The Impact will take on their rivals, the Rochester Raging Rhinos, in duels July 25, in Rochester, and July 27, in Montreal, then September 3, once again in Montreal.
The Impact will also play a rematch of its quarter-final series against the Puerto Rico Islanders, May 2, in Bayamon, as well as July 6 and September 16, in Montreal. This third game will also be the last one of the season at home.
The Impact will end its regular season in Minnesota, September 20, against the Thunder.
Note that the third game on the calendar against the Whitecaps will be played at Swangard Stadium, in Vancouver, September 13.
In 2008, the top seven teams will advance to the playoff tournament, with the Commissioner’s Cup winner (regular season champion) receiving a bye into the semi-finals.
The first round, which should be played September 26 and 28, will involve the #2 - #7 seeds competing in two-leg aggregate score series, with the three winners advancing to semi-finals, and the #1 seed pitted against the lowest remaining seed.
The semi-final series should take place October 3 and 5, and the championship final will be played Saturday October 11, 2008.
Montreal Impact season tickets are currently available by contacting 514-328-3668 or by visiting www.montrealimpact.com.
2008 IMPACT SCHEDULE*
DAY DATE VISITOR HOME TIME BROADCAST
SATURDAY April 12 IMPACT @ Vancouver 10 pm
SATURDAY April 19 IMPACT @ Miami 7:30 pm
FRIDAY April 25 IMPACT @ Atlanta 8 pm
FRIDAY May 2 IMPACT @ Puerto Rico 8 pm FSW
SATURDAY May 10 IMPACT @ Minnesota 8:05 pm
WEDNESDAY May 14 IMPACT @ Charleston 7:30 pm
MONDAY May 19 Vancouver vs IMPACT 3:00 pm
FRIDAY May 30 Portland vs IMPACT 8 pm FSW
WEDNESDAY June 4 Miami vs IMPACT 7:30 pm
SATURDAY June 7 IMPACT @ Charleston 7:30 pm
FRIDAY June 13 Charleston vs IMPACT 7:30 pm
SUNDAY June 22 Carolina vs IMPACT 3:30 pm
SATURDAY June 28 IMPACT @ Seattle 11 pm
SUNDAY July 6 Puerto Rico vs IMPACT 3:30 pm
SUNDAY July 13 Seattle vs IMPACT 3:30 pm
FRIDAY July 18 Miami vs IMPACT 8 pm FSW
FRIDAY July 25 IMPACT @ Rochester 8 pm FSW
SUNDAY July 27 Rochester vs IMPACT 3:30 pm
FRIDAY August 8 IMPACT @ Carolina 7:30 pm
SATURDAY August 16 IMPACT @ Portland 10 pm
WEDNESDAY August 20 Atlanta vs IMPACT 7:30 pm
SUNDAY August 24 Atlanta vs IMPACT 6 pm
WEDNESDAY August 27 Portland vs IMPACT 7:30 pm
SATURDAY August 30 IMPACT @ Carolina 7:30 pm
WEDNESDAY September 3 Rochester vs IMPACT 7:30 pm
FRIDAY September 5 Minnesota vs IMPACT 8 pm FSW
WEDNESDAY September 10 IMPACT @ Seattle 10 pm
SATURDAY September 13 IMPACT @ Vancouver 10 pm
TUESDAY September 16 Puerto Rico vs IMPACT 7:30 pm
SATURDAY September 20 IMPACT @ Minnesota 8:05 pm
*Schedule subject to change. All times Eastern.
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Source: Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info: 514-328-3668, ext. 27
