ORLANDO, Florida – The Montreal Impact plays its first game of the preseason, Saturday at 3pm (ET), against Sporting Kansas City, on opening day of the Walt Disney World Pro Soccer Classic, presented at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex. The game will be streamed live on impactmontreal.com.
WATCH LIVE: Sporting KC vs Montreal Impact, Saturday Feb. 9, 3pm ET
WATCH: Schällibaum
“The intensity will definitely increase a level as it will be the first game of camp,” said Impact head coach Marco Schällibaum. “We have worked hard for the last three weeks, so we are hoping to have a good showing. We will be focusing on the tactical side of the game as we have the type of players for that system.”
Last season, the two clubs faced off on three occasions. The Impact won the first matchup by a 2-0 score, on May 5 at Sporting Park. On July 4, Kansas City beat the Impact 3-1 at Stade Saputo. Then on September 22, again in Montreal, the game finished in a scoreless draw. Midfielder Patrice Bernier scored twice versus SKC, while Felipe had the other Impact goal.
In 2012, the Impact finished in third spot in its division in the Disney Pro Classic with a record of two ties and one loss, missing the playoff round. During the tournament, the Impact played SKC to a 1-1 draw.
Sporting lost two key players this offseason to the English Premier League: Honduran midfielder Roger Espinoza (Wigan Athletic) and forward Kei Kamara (Norwich City). However, their spots were filled by Argentinean DP Claudio Bieler and American international Benny Feilhaber.
Former Impact defender Josh Gardner was acquired by Kansas City in a trade last December.
Also note that forward Nick Zimmerman, who was on trial with the Impact at the start of camp, is now on trial with Sporting Kansas City, in Florida.
The Impact will play its next game of the tournament on Wednesday, February 13 against the Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL).
Single game tickets on sale tomorrow
Individual game tickets for the 18 matches at home in 2013 will go on sale to the general public Saturday, at 10am, via the Admission network (1-855-790-1245 / admission.com).
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.
