Third game in Bleu-blanc-noir history in Canada’s capital
OTTAWA, Ontario – The Montreal Impact will play for the very first time in its history against a team from the Canadian capital, the Ottawa Fury FC, this Wednesday at 7pm at TD Place (live online broadcast on impactmontreal.com). This friendly will occur at the heart of a two-week break in the MLS season for the Bleu-blanc-noir, as the CONCACAF Gold Cup is taking place in the United States.
The Impact has already played twice in Ottawa in the ‘90s, both times against the Toronto Lynx, two wins by clean sheet, the first one 1-0 in 1997 and the second 6-0 in 1998.
Minutes for young players
This short trip near the Peace Tower will allow young players and others who have not had a lot of minutes to see some action on the pitch.
Belizean midfielder Michael Salazar and American striker Nick DePuy have benefited from the partnership with the USL club, both being momentarily loaned to Ottawa to get playing minutes.
“Going to play in Ottawa allowed me to regain confidence and see another side of the game,” said Salazar, who played four games, all starts, with the Fury. “It helped me a lot to have played minutes. I knew my situation. When I came back with the Impact, the coaches saw there was something different in my game.”
“This game is an opportunity for me to find a bit of rhythm, to find the back of the net and to raise my confidence level,” continued DePuy, who started his only game with Ottawa. “I try to seize all the opportunities I get. My job is to score goals.”
It will also be a chance to see from very close the former Montreal Impact Academy players under contract with the Fury FC, according to the deal between the clubs. Goalkeeper David Paulmin, defenders Aron Mkungilwa and Thomas Meilleur-Giguère, as well as midfielder Jimmy-Shammar Sanon have all joined the Ottawan club for the 2017 season through this partnership.
Young Impact U18 midfielder Mathieu Choinière will also travel with the Montreal squad on Wednesday.
Ottawa Fury FC fighting for a playoff spot
In its first season in USL, the Fury FC is currently 10th of the Eastern Conference standings after 16 games, only one point away from the playoffs. In its past five games, the Fury only has one win, having scored four goals during this run.
Upcoming games
The Impact will return to MLS action on Wednesday, July 19, at 7:30pm, as the Philadelphia Union will visit Stade Saputo in a crucial game for the MLS Cup Playoffs (TVA sports, 985sports.ca, CJAD – TICKETS). Shortly after, it will be FC Dallas’ turn to enter the Bleu-blanc-noir’s ground, on Saturday, July 22, at 7:30pm (TVA Sports, 98,5fm, TSN Radio 690 – TICKETS).
