Montreal heads to Champions League quarterfinals, draws 1:1 with Olimpia

[beyonder09]

bravo impact

http://www.concacaf.com/view_article.aspx?id=4477

[zidja]

I wonder if there will be a number of winter acquisitions to ensure success beyond the group stage. Or is that even allowed? For what it cost Joey Saputo to send the team to 2 seperate european training trips last winter, I bet he could rent some pretty high profile ringers to win this thing.

[impact2009]

I wonder if there will be a number of winter acquisitions to ensure success beyond the group stage. Or is that even allowed?

Good question. Anyone have any info on this?

[Chef Medeski]

Good question. Anyone have any info on this?

Its quite possible. They signed Donatelli and it looks like they are looking at some new guys. For instance in the news on the Impact website it said:

"BINGANA TRYING OUT
Cameroon native forward Jules Bertrand Bingana, from German club SV Darmstadt 98, is currently trying out with the Impact.

“We are still looking for a few players to fill in certain positions,” said De Santis. “It’s a good time to see good level players.”

So a third-level German League team who won the championship last year. Interesting, certainly raising the profile of purchases, going from Canada to Carribeans to the Nordic Countries, finally to one of the big countries of Europe. :D

I would say the only thing to touch is a really experienced forward because Brown doesn't give me much confidence, he does good but it seems to be sporadic and I don't see him start much for a man of his experience who we should need. Hes definitely not as prominent as Biello, but Biello while great is getting up there. But I put great trust in the mangement staff, they really know what they are doing. I think thats why they brought in Felix and Byers, beefing up the attack. We'll see where it goes. I'm really curious to know if theyre going to be playing in Montreal. I would even potentially go to Toronto if they have to play there. But would be severly dissapointed if it wasn't here.

[Real Corona]

I can't imagine they wouldn't play the match in Montreal. The biggest problem will be the huge layoff. The next round is sometime in March or February.

[GoodTimes2008]

is the location of the next round of matches confirmed yet? if not does anyone know when they'll let us know?

[Chef Medeski]

is the location of the next round of matches confirmed yet? if not does anyone know when they'll let us know?
No it is not as even the match-ups are not. In November there will be a draw to determine which teams play each other. For now the Impact are steadily working on procuring players and a field. I doubt you are going to hear much for awhile because I know they are trying quite diligently for the Olympic Stadium but with so many problems with that plan, it will take awhile to get approved if they do. And I would expect they would try by anywhich way to play there and only choose not to if by January they still haven't worked it out.

So in my opinion either wait for a gargantuan, Olympic Stadium announcement or atleast till Christmas.

All speculation, because as of now nothing is known.

[Real Corona]

No it is not as even the match-ups are not. In November there will be a draw to determine which teams play each other. For now the Impact are steadily working on procuring players and a field. I doubt you are going to hear much for awhile because I know they are trying quite diligently for the Olympic Stadium but with so many problems with that plan, it will take awhile to get approved if they do. And I would expect they would try by anywhich way to play there and only choose not to if by January they still haven't worked it out.

So in my opinion either wait for a gargantuan, Olympic Stadium announcement or atleast till Christmas.

All speculation, because as of now nothing is known.

Indoor soccer at the Bell Center!

[Chef Medeski]

Indoor soccer at the Bell Center!

Lol.... yeah that grass would be less frozen than the one at Stade Saputo. :p

But what about Molson Stadium? Fits 20k, has a turf field so you can just unfreeze and go. I know its set up for Football but I'm sure it can be fixed up.

[zidja]

I still don't get the whole Olympic Stadium fiasco. I realize a piece of the roof fell in the snow 10 years ago. That's not good and would normally have 'International Incident' written all over it. But didn't they put in special snow removing heaters up there right afterwards?

[Chef Medeski]

I still don't get the whole Olympic Stadium fiasco. I realize a piece of the roof fell in the snow 10 years ago. That's not good and would normally have 'International Incident' written all over it. But didn't they put in special snow removing heaters up there right afterwards?
The Stadium is closed from December to April due to the snow buildup. I'm not sure about the heaters but they haven't played in there in winter in awhile. I think the two big problems is bringing in all the staff for one event, since all of winter you probably have bare bones cleaning, and to clean the snow out since it probably wouldn't pass inspection with the buildup, especially if we have another winter like last year.

So the 2nd isn't as big as the first, I mean its a big job but it merely involves paying someone to do it. The first do probably involves a union contract, possible exclusivity, special deals with many level of individuals. When people come into the picture..... so yeah. Give it some time.

[Daniel from Montréal]

I still don't get the whole Olympic Stadium fiasco. I realize a piece of the roof fell in the snow 10 years ago. That's not good and would normally have 'International Incident' written all over it. But didn't they put in special snow removing heaters up there right afterwards?

From what I gather, there has been no other incident since. The trouble is that no one has insisted on getting the playing surface during the closed period in 10 years, letting the issue stay unaddressed. The official line from the fire marshall and OIB is that Birdair, maker of the roof, still hasn't submitted a report on WHY the roof broke. They've been waiting for 10 years, but evidently no one was in a hurry.

With this kind of work ethic, no wonder the thing cost a billion dollars!

[Chef Medeski]

They've been waiting for 10 years, but evidently no one was in a hurry.

With this kind of work ethic, no wonder the thing cost a billion dollars!
Maybe they were just hoping they would just tear the place down by now.

Personally I say eliminate the top half, remove the roof, and add real grass. There you go, got a new Stadium for you Saputo, 25k seats. We know its a bit much so do u mind making sure ur team is really good?


This is what goes on in my head when I dream.

[Daniel from Montréal]

Personally I say eliminate the top half, remove the roof, and add real grass. There you go, got a new Stadium for you Saputo, 25k seats. We know its a bit much so do u mind making sure ur team is really good?


This is what goes on in my head when I dream.

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y172/pusman83/DSC00123.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y172/pusman83/worstseatinthehouse.jpg

Yeah... no. ;)

[Real Corona]

Yeah, sorry but that is hideous. If done right, the remodeling of Saputo could make it one of the top stadiums in MLS. It's soccer only, and won't have those annoying stage gaps like in Columbus. Fan are literally right on the field and if they get the half time traffic situation fixed, and add the seats right to create a more intimate atmosphere, the sky is the limit. Not the roof!

[metros11]

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y172/pusman83/DSC00123.jpg
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y172/pusman83/worstseatinthehouse.jpg

Yeah... no. ;)

Ah yes, seeing that first person was an interesting experience.

[impact2009]

Montreal plays Santos in the next round. Comments, predictions?

[Saltenya94]

Montreal plays Santos in the next round. Comments, predictions?
Montreal 7 - Santos 1