JACKSONVILLE, Florida - The Montreal Impact remains undefeated in preseason action in Florida following a 0-0 draw with the Philadelphia Union at EverBankField in Jacksonville, Florida Friday night. Impact goalkeeper Evan Bush earned the shutout.
Bush made several good stops over the course of the game, most notably on a point blank effort from inside the box by forward Sebastien Le Toux, in the 69th minute.
"It's always a little different when you play in these big capacity stadiums as the surroundings and dimensions of the field change," said Bush, who wore the captain's armband for the match. "There was great support for both teams tonight, for Philadelphia mostly, but a nice experience overall."
The Impact created its first good scoring chance in the 5th minute off of a free kick from 20 yards out by Calum Mallace, but goalkeeper Zac MacMath made a diving stop.
In the 28th minute, Union defender Sheanon Williams crossed the ball into the box for forward Jack McInerney, but Impact Bush punched the ball out of danger.
Midfielder Blake Smith came close to opening the score in the 38th minute, alone in front of the keeper on the right side of the six yard box, but the team's first pick of the 2013 SuperDraft couldn't find the space to get off a good shot.
At the beginning of the second half, defender Wandrille Lefevre made a horizontal pass for Maxim Tissot, who played it to forward Andrew Wenger who was unable to get a foot on the play.
The game will be played outside of the Walt Disney World Pro Classic tournament, being played in Orlando. The Impact is currently tops in its group having beaten Sporting Kansas City (2-1) and the Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL) (4-1), while Philadelphia is last in its group with a draw to Orlando City (UL Pro) and a loss to Columbus.
Matchup against D.C. United
The Impact returns to tournament action on Saturday at 1pm (ET) to play its third game of the Disney Pro Classic against D.C. United. The game will be streamed live on impactmontreal.com.
The team needs a draw to clinch first place in Group B and with it, a spot in the championship final, set for February 23, at 8pm (ET) against the top team from Group A.
Season Tickets
2013 season tickets are now available in seven categories, at a cost of $295, $385, $475, $580, $770 and $1070. You can assure your spot for the 2013 season by contacting the Impact's sales and services team at 514-328-3668. Show your support for your club by paying for your tickets using your Montreal Impact BMO credit card.
LINEUP
MTL - GK-Evan Bush; D-Maxim Tissot, Wandrille Lefèvre, Karl W. Ouimette, Zarek Valentin; M-Blake Smith (Dennis Iapichino 59'), Calum Mallace, Fernando Monge (Collen Warner 46'), Andrés Romero (Mircea Ilcu 59'); F-Andrew Wenger (Eber* 71'), Sanna Nyassi
*Trialist
CAUTIONS
MTL - Bush 16'
PHI - Soumare 42'
PHI - Le Toux 66
