Ben Rycroft
The third match in the Nutrilite Canadian Championships goes tonight at 11 p.m. EST.
Game Notes
The Montreal Impact take on the Vancouver Whitecaps in B.C. for their second meeting of the CONCACAF Champions League qualifying tournament.
In their first meeting at Stade Saputo in Montreal, the Impact shocked the USL powerhouse Whitecaps 2-0. While the Whitecaps dominated for much of the second half, it was two early goals by Severino Jefferson and Joey Gjertson that were the difference.
With the win, the Impact improved to 1-1-0 following a loss to the Toronto FC (1-0-0) and have continued to show noticeable improvement since the departure of former coach Nick De Santis. New skipper John Limniatis has the Impact playing with confidence having garnered three wins since taking his taking of the helm. Tonight's game will be the first road test for Limniatis with the Impact.
The Whitecaps shut out the Impact 1-0 during USL regular season play at Swangard on April 12. But they haven't recorded a win in their last three regular season games at home. A loss here for the Whitecaps (0-1-0) would all but eliminate the Vancouver club from advancing to the CONCACAF Champions League. They will be boosted by the return of midfielder Jeff Clarke and striker Vincente Arze who are both coming back from injuries.
For the soccer historians
This will be the first time since 1992 that a Vancouver club (then known as the 86ers) has contested for a Canadian title at home. In the Mita Club final, at Swangard stadium, the 86ers drew 1-1 with the Winnipeg Fury. The Manitoba club went on to claim the CSL title - the last before the league's demise in 1993.
The Montreal Impact have a 20-8-5 lifetime record against the Vancouver Whitecaps since joining the USL.
