Montreal Impact U23 News Release -- www.impactmontreal.com
Thursday, February 20, 2014
MONTREAL -- The Montreal Impact’s U23 side continues its preparation towards its first ever season in the PDL, and is currently undefeated in the Quebec university championship.
After four games played, the Impact U23 have recorded three wins and one tie. Following a 2-1 victory in Sherbrooke, the Impact blanked McGill 2-0 and then played to a 1-1 draw with UQAM at the Marie-Victorin Sports Complex.
In its most recent matchup, Philippe Eullaffroy’s squad earned a 2-0 shutout win last Sunday, against UQTR in Trois-Rivières. Frédéric Lajoie-Gravelle and Kevin Luarca scored in the win, while U18 goalkeeper Erhan Ylmaz played well to earn the shutout.
However, head coach Eullaffroy was not entirely pleased with how his side played the game.
“It was most definitely our worst game of the four we’ve played this winter," Eullaffroy said. "We can’t be satisfied with a win when our quality of play is not up to our standards. We’ve played five of eight halves with the right characteristics up to now, so we are generally satisfied. At this time of the year, we are working on applying our game principles. We have to continue to build our identity.”
This identity Eullaffroy speaks of is one that is applied throughout all teams in the Academy. All players in the club work on the same principles, starting at age 12.
Waiting for their next opponents this Sunday night - the Montreal Carabins - the Impact U23 took part in a special biathlon Tuesday, at Maisonneuve Park. As part of the activity, the Academy technical staff prepared a snowshoe race and an archery competition.
The Impact U23 open their inaugural season in the PDL on Saturday, May 17 when they visit the Westchester Flames. The club's home opener is set for Sunday, June 1 at the turf field at Stade Saputo, also against the Flames.