Montreal begins quest for 10th Voyageurs Cup
TORONTO, Ontario – The Montreal Impact will begin its quest to the Concacaf Champions League, this Wednesday, July 10, at 7:30pm, when it plays the first leg of the Canadian Championship quarterfinal against York9 FC at York Lions Stadium. The winner of this third-round fixture will be decided over two legs on aggregate goals, with the first tiebreaker being the number of away goals scored.
“In these types of competitions, teams that play in lower divisions are usually very motivated,” said Impact head coach Rémi Garde. “For them, every game represents a final, because they have a chance to showcase, individually and as a team, how good they can be. We’re aware. We’ve watched this team’s games. They play good football and they try to move the ball quickly. I don’t think they’ve earned the results they deserve considering the type of game they play. We have to take it seriously, which is how I’m preparing my players.”
Canadian Championship growing
With the arrival of the Canadian Premier League, the Canadian Championship’s format was revisited and made bigger this year. 13 clubs from five different leagues will fight for the Voyageurs Cup and a place in the Concacaf Champions League through five rounds. The Montreal Impact and the Vancouver Whitecaps FC enter the competition in the third round, while Toronto FC, champions of the 2018 edition, get a bye until the semifinals.
With nine Voyageurs Cups to its name, Montreal is the team that’s lifted the Canadian trophy the most times. Its last win, in 2014, led the Impact all the way to the Champions League final, in 2015.
“When people think of the Montreal Impact, they think of them in the Champions League,” said full-back Daniel Lovitz. “That’s what motivates us. The guys that have been there before know what it’s like, and they know that this club is built to compete and perform at that level. It’s something we’re striving for. We have a new group of players that are familiar with what it’s like to lose at that level. We’re excited to get out on the field and handle business against a team we should be confident against.”
An unknown opponent that must be taken seriously
This marks the first ever game for the Impact against a CPL opponent in its history. York9 FC, in its first year of existence, has a record of two wins, four losses, and five draws, scoring nine goals while conceding 12 through 11 league games. In the Canadian Championship, the Torontonians eliminated A.S. Blainville, the PLSQ champions, 1-0 on aggregate, before beating FC Edmonton 3-2 through two legs.
For York9 FC, Montreal native Diyaeddine Abzi has played every game this season. Also, Toronto FC player Ryan Telfer, on loan with the team led by Jim Brennan, scored the first goal in the club’s history. York 9 FC has won just one of its last five games, scoring three goals in that sequence, all in their win over Valour FC.
“Our approach is very serious,” said midfielder Samuel Piette. “It’s an important cup, not only for the club, but for our supporters as well. We don’t know this club very well, but it’ll be important not to underestimate them, even if we are favourites.”
Upcoming games
The Montreal Impact will play a first game this year against its biggest rival, Toronto FC, on Saturday, July 13, at 7:30pm at Stade Saputo (TICKETS – TVA Sports, TSN, 98.5, TSN 690). Montreal will then head to Ohio to take on the Columbus Crew SC at MAPFRE Stadium on Saturday, July 20, at 7:30pm (TVA Sports, 98.5, TSN 690), before hosting York9 FC at Stade Saputo for the second leg of the Canadian Championship quarterfinal on Wednesday, July 24, at 7:30pm (TICKETS - 98.5, TSN 690).
