MONTREAL – In its last regular season game, the Impact U18 won 8-0 over Beachside SC Saturday, on the synthetic field at Stade Saputo, to finish the regular season first in the general standings out of 77 teams in the USSDA, with a final record of 22-2-2. The Bleu-blanc-noir also finished first defensively with only 17 goals allowed in 26 games.
“I’m really proud of this group,” said Impact U18 head coach Jason Di Tullio. "It justifies the work that was done by the Academy staff over the last few years. Now, we have to go into the playoffs with class and quality to represent the club.”
“The U18 performances help validate the development direction taken by the Academy,” said Academy director Philippe Eullaffroy. “Most of these players have been with us for almost four years and their performances show the good work done by the whole structure, from U13 to U18. These results are also proof of the quality of our players and coaching in this group.”
The first playoff phase will be played from June 23 to 26 in Indianapolis. The 32 qualified teams will be placed in eight groups of four teams. Each team plays three games, one against each opponent in the same group. The winner of each group qualifies for the quarterfinal phase.
In this knockout phase, the best-seeded teams have the opportunity to host a unique quarterfinal game at home. Then, the four winners of this phase go to Los Angeles for the Final Four (semifinal, final) before being named USSDA champion.
Last year, the Impact U18 went all the way to the Final Four, finishing third after losing in semifinal.