The Impact teams playing in the Development Academy will resume competition this weekend after a long three-month break during the Winter. They begin with an important challenge this weekend, as all team will play two games in two days in Massachusetts.
On Saturday, the Impact will face the Boston Bolts starting at 10am with the U15 game, followed by the U17 and U19. On Sunday, the Bleu-blanc-noir will play against the New England Revolution’s teams, starting at 10am again with the U15 group, followed by the U17 and U19 games.
Staying at the top
The Impact U15 is unbeaten this season and tops its division with a record of nine wins and two draws. The group needs to stay on pace with Cedar Stars Academy and the Boston Bolt, two teams trailing the Impact in the standings. In this age category, only the team in first place makes it to the playoffs.
The team resumes its season with a new coach, Dominique Morin, who joined the academy as the U15 head coach.
“Since I arrived, we played four friendly games and every time we improved,” said the new Impact U15 head coach Dominique Morin. “I’m really satisfied with the group. We are ready. What’s important now is to be good on the field, and the results will come.”
The Impact U17 is also first in its division with a 9-4-1 record, followed closely by Beachside Soccer Club and Empire United.
Nicolas Gagnon’s team will have to deal with an additional challenge this weekend, as eight of his players were with the U17 national team in Mexico. They came back on Thursday, with the team travelling to Massachusetts on Friday.
Regaining the lead
The Impact U19 slid into second in its division before the Winter break, behind New York City FC. Philippe Eullaffroy’s players have a 7-4-1 record and will want to start the second half of the season on a positive note to regain top spot again before the playoffs.
Spring tournaments
The four Academy teams are also preparing for different international tournaments taking place in mid-April. The Impact U14 will be in Sens, France, for the Tournoi Sans Frontières, the U15 team will be in Bologna, Italy, for the We Love Football tournament, the U17s will be at the GA Cup in Dallas and the Impact U19 will be participating in the Tournoi international U19 de Saint-Joseph, in France.
