MONTREAL – The Impact U18 will play Real So Cal in the USSDA quarterfinals on Tuesday, July 7, at 6pm, at Stade Saputo. Admission to the game will be free.
The Impact qualified for the USSDA quarterfinals after finishing first in the group phase played last week in Indianapolis. Montreal tied the first game 2-2 against the Philadelphia Union, before winning two straight games: 3-2 to the Los Angeles Galaxy and 2-1 over Kendall SC.
“It was difficult to predict the difficulties of playing three games in four days,” said head coach Jason Di Tullio. “We were in control of the first game against Philadelphia, but we lacked concentration in the end. But after, players stood up and confirmed why they were there.”
“It’s my second year with the U18,” said defender Aron Mkungilwa. “Last year’s experience helped us a lot over the three games. We knew that Indianapolis was the toughest stage of the playoffs. It’s an incredible experience to play the quarterfinal at Stade Saputo. I’m hoping to see a good crowd.”
The opponent for this quarterfinal, Real So Cal, is a soccer club based in the San Fernando and Conejo Valley region in California. The team finished 24th in regular season, but first in the group phase after beating the Seattle Sounders 2-0, Solar Chelsea FC 5-1 and tying the Capital Area Railhawks 0-0.
“We know we have to respect them,” said Di Tullio. “But we have to focus on ourselves. All year long we prepared well to have this quarterfinal at home. It will be a good opportunity to play in front of our fans and for the players to show their quality to the club’s technical staff.”
The quarterfinal winner will go to Los Angeles to play the semifinal and the final. On July 16 and July 18.
In the regular season, the Impact U18 finished first in the league out of a total of 77 teams, with a record of 22-2-2.
