Montreal Impact has familiarity edge with Olympic Stadium artificial turf

MONTREAL — It’s been a long road for Toronto FC and the Montreal Impact to the MLS Eastern Conference final Tuesday. And the Olympic Stadium turf they will be playing on has some history too.

It’s not the surface used for the Montreal portion of the 2015 Women’s World Cup. An Impact spokesman said that is being used at Centre Nutrilait, the MLS team’s training centre.

The Canadian Soccer Association had upgraded the domed stadium turf in preparation for a pair of world championships. A CSA spokesman said a FIFA-approved two-star surface was installed for the FIFA-20 Women’s World Cup in 2014 and a new two-star surface with padding was used for the 2015 World Cup.

The surface for Tuesday’s night game was purchased by the Impact in 2013.

Montreal has the advantage, having trained in the domed stadium. Toronto, which has an artificial turf pitch at its training centre, has not played a game on an artificial surface since late August in Orlando.

ACAC bound

North Stars' Medernach talks commitment to NAIT Ooks

17h ago

Rustlers Volleyball

Crusaders' Bell excited for next chapter with Lakeland College

Apr 24, 2024

Nothing but Net

Vikings' standouts ready for national stage with Team Saskatchewan

Apr 24, 2024

The Canadian Press