Established
2010
City
Montreal
League History
2012 – Present / Major League Soccer
Team History
2021 - Present / Club de Foot Montréal
2012 – 2020 / Montreal Impact
Nickname
Impact – Since its inception in 1992, the Montreal Impact has been one of Canada’s top professional soccer teams. Over the years, the team has developed a solid following among sports fans in Quebec and beyond. But what many may not know is that there’s a fascinating story behind how they got their nickname: “Impact.”
Then-owner Joey Saputo chose the name to reflect his vision for the club—to impact Canadian and international soccer culture. He wanted to create something unique that would be instantly recognizable, something that could represent Montreal and capture people's imaginations everywhere else around the world.
To achieve this goal, Saputo looked at two different sources of inspiration: nature and history (specifically French-Canadian history). The natural aspect comes from Montréal being located near two significant bodies of water—the St Lawrence River and Lac Saint Louis—which gave rise to its original nickname, “la ville aux eaux bleues" or "the city with blue waters." Meanwhile, he drew upon local heritage when deciding on ‘impact,' which references La Compagnie des Cent Associés (or The Hundred Associates), responsible for colonizing New France in 1627 under King Louis XIII's reign. This company had such an influence over early development throughout Québec province it eventually became known simply as L'Impact de Montréal – hence why it was adopted by Joey Saputo all those years ago!
Today 'L'Impact de Montréal' is synonymous with success within Major League Soccer (MLS) circles, thanks mainly to its passionate supporters who never fail to show up every matchday, whether rain or shine! As long they keep doing so, we can expect plenty more memorable moments to come out very soon indeed…
Championship
MLS Cups 0
Stadium
2012 - Present / Saputo Stadium
Owner
2010 - Present / Joey Saputo
- 2012
- 2013
- 2014
- 2015
- 2016
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Impact Team Formation
On November 22, 2008, the group’s bid for an MLS franchise was not retained by commissioner Don Garber. In response to Vancouver’s successful bid in March 2009, Impact GM Nick De Santis commented that he expected chairman Saputo to pursue and realize his vision of Montreal as an MLS franchise someday. By May 16, 2009, the Montreal Gazette reported Garber ... -
Montreal Impact club wins its first Canadian Championship
In 2013: The Montreal Impact club wins its first Canadian Championship, beating Vancouver Whitecaps FC 6-3 on aggregate in the final. -
Montreal Impact club signs Spanish defender Adrián López
In 2014: The Montreal Impact club signs Spanish defender Adrián López from Wigan Athletic as its second designated player. -
Head Coach Mauro Biello
In 2015, head coach Frank Klopas was fired in August and replaced on an interim basis by former Impact player Mauro Biello. After qualifying for the playoffs and defeating Toronto FC in the first round before being eliminated in the Conference semi-finals by the Columbus Crew, Biello was hired permanently. -
Montreal Impact reaches the final of the Canadian Championship
In 2016: The club signs Belgian defender Laurent Ciman from Standard Liège as its fourth designated player. The club reaches the final of the Canadian Championship, losing on away goals to Toronto FC after a 2-2 draw on aggregate.
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
History of the Impact
The Montreal Impact is one of the most storied teams in Major League Soccer (MLS). Founded in 1993, they are the third oldest team in MLS and have been part of North American soccer for over two decades. The Impact has had a long and successful history since its inception, winning four championships, including three Canadian Championships and one CONCACAF Champions League title.
The club’s first major success came when it won its first championship—the USL First Division Championship—in 2004. This marked the beginning of an impressive streak that would see them win back-to-back titles from 2009 to 2011 and a second consecutive Canadian Championship victory in 2013. In 2012, they debuted at the CONCACAF Champions League tournament. They became champions after defeating Mexican side Santos Laguna 4–2 on aggregate scoreline following extra time play during their semi-final clash with Real Salt Lake City FC.
Since then, Montreal has remained competitive both domestically and internationally while also developing talent through its youth academy system, which produces some of Canada's best young players each year who go on to represent various clubs across Europe or return home to join up with either Montreal or other MLS sides such as Toronto FC or Vancouver Whitecaps FC. As sports fans, we can only look forward to what this historic franchise will bring us next!
Sports Fan Products
Retired Number
20 / Mauro Biello
*Blue is this team’s history