MONTREAL – The Montreal Impact will play its first ever game in Major League Soccer (MLS) on Saturday, March 10 (broadcast live on: RDS, TSN) against its Canadian rivals the Vancouver Whitecaps FC, at 6 pm (EST), at BC Place in Vancouver.
“This will be a historic match for the Montreal Impact,” said sporting director Nick De Santis. “It will be very special to finally play our first game in MLS on top of facing rival Vancouver. There is already 20 years of history between these two clubs in the North American Soccer League and the Nutrilite Canadian Championship. The rivalry can now continue at the highest level. There is a lot of respect between the two organizations.”
“We would like to start the season on the right foot before our first home game,” said Impact head coach Jesse Marsch. “We expect a good challenge in Vancouver as they would like to start the season off with a win in front of their fans. We will be ready for the first game.”
The Impact, who will make its debut as the 19th team in the league, will play a total of 34 regular season games, 17 at home and 17 on the road, with all being televised.
The Impact will play its inaugural home game in Montreal in MLS the following Saturday, March 17, at Olympic Stadium. Details for that game, as well as the rest of the regular season calendar, are not yet available.
Ticket sales for 2012 are available in five categories, with pricing at $250, $350, $550, $850, and $1,250. You can purchase season tickets online at impactmontreal.com or by calling 514-328-3668.
Three other games will be played as part of the MLS First Kick 2012 presented by Dick’s Sporting Goods. FC Dallas will host New York Red Bulls, at Pizza Hut Park, on March 11 at 3pm (NBC Sports Network); Chivas USA will host Houston Dynamo on the same day at Home Depot Center at 7pm (Galavision); and then on Monday, March 12, the Portland Timbers meet the Philadelphia Union, at Jeld-Wen Field, at 9:30pm (ESPN2, ESPN Deportes & ESPN3).
