Montreal joins Group C, including Atlante FC (Mexico) and CD Olimpia (Honduras) – the two seeded teams – as well as Joe Public FC (Trinidad & Tobago), which won the preliminary round against the New England Revolution (MLS, USA), 6-1 on aggregate.
The Impact will play its home games Wednesday, September 17 against Joe Public FC, September 24 against Atlante FC and October 21 against CD Olimpia. The three games on the road will be held October 2 in Honduras against CD Olimpia, October 8 in Trinidad and Tobago against Joe Public FC, and October 28 in Mexico against Atlante FC.
Tickets for the home games will be on sale Monday, starting at $10. A special three-game package will also be available. Tickets can be purchased by dialing 514-328-3668 or through Admission Network at 514-790-1245.
“Qualifying in the group phase of this competition awards us unprecedented visibility on the national scene, as well as across the continent,” said Montreal Impact and Saputo Stadium President Joey Saputo. “Our progression to the next round demonstrates to what extent the USL First Division is competitive. The CONCACAF Champions League will enable us to assess our strength against other high level clubs.”
Following this qualification, the Impact has moved the September 16 regular season game against the Puerto Rico Islanders to September 21 (7:30 pm). September 16 tickets will be valid for the September 21 game.
After those six games, the top two clubs from each group will advance to the knock-out phase and play a home-and-away elimination. The quarterfinals start in February 2009, with the semi-finals to begin in March, and the final to take place in late April. The CONCACAF Champions League winner will qualify as the CONCACAF's representative to the 2009 edition of the FIFA Club World Cup.
Note that the Puerto Rico Islanders (USL-D1) also won the preliminary round 3-2 against LD Alajuelense (Costa Rica), whereas two Major League Soccer teams, New England Revolution and Chivas USA, were eliminated during the preliminary round.
CONCACAF CHAMPIONS LEAGUE GAMES
• Wednesday, September 17 – Joe Public FC @ IMPACT – 8 pm
• Wednesday, September 24 – Atlante FC @ IMPACT – 8 pm
• Thursday, October 2 – IMPACT @ CD Olympia – @ Honduras – 10 pm
• Wednesday, October 8 – IMPACT @ Joe Public – @ Trinidad & Tobago – 8 pm
• Tuesday, October 21 – CD Olympia @ IMPACT – 8 pm
• Tuesday, October 28 – IMPACT @ Atlante FC – @ Mexico – 10 pm
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Source : Patrick Vallée, Montreal Impact
Info : 514-328-3668 (ext. 227)
