It is the 15th home opener in club history. Since its inaugural season in 1993, the Impact has a record of 10-1-3 in home openers (23 GF – 6 GA).
The two teams faced each other April 12, in Vancouver, when the Impact was playing its first game of the season. The Impact was shut out 1-0 at Swangard Stadium.
“I’m really excited to be part of this historic moment, which is very special for everyone in the club,” said defender Adam Braz. “It’s a huge game for us and this is a chance to put the beginning of the season behind us. We also want to beat the Whitecaps because I don’t think we deserved to lose the first game against them. It’s time to get one back on them with a win.”
In its last game, the Impact lost 1-0, Wednesday, against the Charleston Battery. The Impact concluded its six-game stretch on the road with a record of two wins and four losses.
“We have to find more creativity in the last 20 meters of the field to create good scoring chances,” said Impact head coach Nick De Santis, who will coach his 125th with the Impact. “In general, we dominated and we had a lot of ball possession in the first games away from home but bottom line, we have to play to win. Now we have to win the majority of our games at home and our new stadium has to become a very difficult place for opponent teams.”
“I never could have dreamt to be part of something so perfect,” said midfielder David Testo. “To be in that locker room is an amazing feeling. To say that I am looking forward to this day is an understatement. As a player, I’m amazed that everything looks so perfect. The organization has created an ideal atmosphere and we’re ready to make this stadium our home.”
For the home opener, doors will exceptionally open at 12:30 pm and fans will be treated to a special pre-game show, starring singer Gregory Charles and his singers and musicians, at 2 pm.
Many distinguished guests will be present and walk the red carpet at Saputo Stadium Monday, notably: Montreal Canadiens forward Alex Kovalev, former Olympic athletes Bruny Surin, Sylvie Bernier, Frédérick Blackburn, Jean-Luc Brassard and Nathalie Lambert, actors Emmanuel Bilodeau, James Hyndman, Pierre-François Legendre, Rémi-Pierre Paquin, Marina Orsini, Yvan Ponton and Karine Vanasse, radio hosts Paul Houde and Marc-André Coallier, humorists Mario Jean and Marie-Lise Pilote, as well as singers Luck Mervil and Jacynthe.
The following politicians will also attend the game, namely the Mayor of Montreal Gérald Tremblay, Quebec Minister of Economic Development Raymond Bachand, Quebec Minister of the Environment Line Beauchamp, Quebec Minister of Education, Leisure and Sports Michelle Courchesne, Quebec Immigration and Cultural Communities Minister Yolande James, as well as Federal Leader of the Opposition Stéphane Dion and Federal Leader of the New Democratic Party Jack Layton.
OTHER FACTS
• The Impact shut out the opponent 11 times in 14 home openers.
• Since 1993, the year Vancouver joined the league (the 86ers eventually became the Whitecaps), the Impact has a regular season lifetime record of 20-8-4 against its Canadian rivals.
• This is the second of three match-ups between both clubs this season. The Impact will visit again the Whitecaps in Vancouver, September 13.
• The two teams will also match up in two qualifying games of the CONCACAF Champions League: June 17, at Saputo Stadium, and June 25, at Swangard Stadium.
• Veteran defender Gabriel Gervais and Nevio Pizzolitto will miss the game due to injuries. Impact forward Roberto Brown will also miss the game as he will serve his third and last game suspension due to his ejection in Puerto Rico, May 2.
• Defenders Adam Braz, as well as midfielders Patrick Leduc and Leonardo Di Lorenzo have started the first six games of the season.
• Goalkeeper Matt Jordan will play Monday his 25th game with the Impact. He will join Andrew Weber 5th in Impact goalkeepers.
NEXT GAMES
• Friday, May 23 – IMPACT @ Trois-Rivières Attak – Alphonse Desjardins Sports Centre - 7:30 pm
• Tuesday, May 27 – Toronto FC @ IMPACT – Saputo Stadium – 7:30 pm (USLlive.com)
• Friday, May 30 – Portland @ IMPACT – Saputo Stadium – 7:30 pm (Radio-Canada, FSW, CKAC Sports, TEAM 990)
• Wednesday, June 4 – Miami FC @ IMPACT – Saputo Stadium – 7:30 pm (CKAC Sports, TEAM 990, USLlive.com)
• Saturday, June 7 – IMPACT @ Charleston – Blackbaud Stadium – 7:30 pm (USLlive.com)
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Source: Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info: 514-328-3668, Ext. 227
