Montreal Impact gets closer to Champions League title
The Montreal Impact did the improbable on Wednesday night in Mexico City, drawing 1-1 away to top flight Mexican opposition at Estadio Azteca.
A 16th minute goal from Monteral’s Argentine forward Ignacio Piatti was matched by Club America’s Oribe Peralta at the 89th to bring the clubs level after the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League final on Wednesday.
Ignacio Piatti of Montreal Impact celebrates his goal against Club America in Mexico City on April 22, 2015.
Montreal, which plays in Major League Soccer, is trying to become the first Canadian side to win the CCL title, the highest honour that can be won in the region among North, Central American and Caribbean football clubs. The winner of the CCL title then represents the region in the FIFA Club World Cup against teams from South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Oceania.
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The draw at Azteca was unlikely as the stadium located nearly 2,200 metres above sea level, punishes visitors not accustomed to the altitude, providing the home team an advantage. The stadium has over 100,000 seats, often filled with fans no stranger to dirty tricks to intimidate awestruck tourists. For example, one fan continued to target Montreal goalkeeper Evan Bush with a laser pointer throughout Wednesday’s match.
Montreal Impact players celebrate in the CONCACAF Champions League on March 18, 2015.
To neutralize at least the physical demands of the Azteca, Montreal’s owners committed the financial resources to fly the team into Mexico City a week ahead of the match. It seemed to work as the team played a tight formation, never looked out of sorts and had the legs to continue through the treacherous final minutes that finally betrayed them when Peralta headed home the equalizer.
Nonetheless, Montreal returns home for the second leg on April 29, needing only a nil-nil draw or a win to become the first Canadian team ever to take the local Champions League crown and compete in the FIFA Club World Cup.
