The Montreal Impact Soccer Club (IMFC) is currently playing in the Major League Soccer, which is considered North America’s top professional league. The team has been part of MLS since 2012. Despite its recent entry in MLS as a franchise, the IMFC began its twenty-first season in 2014.
The first championship won by Montreal took place in 1994 in its former stadium (Claude-Robillard stadium) while playing in the American Professional Soccer League, a now defunct league. After winning this first trophy, the Impact was able to stay on top of the rankings, but was unable to win a championship between 1995 and 1998. From 1999 to 2001, questionable administrative decisions combined with a trusteeship of the club meant dark years for the Montreal football club.
In 2002, the IMFC managed to win the Voyageurs Cup, formerly known as the Canadian championship title, and kept the title year after year until 2007. In addition, the Impact won a second championship in its history in 2004, while finishing first in the 2005 and 2006 seasons.
2008 was an important year for the Montreal Impact. The club opened its brand new football stadium, the Saputo Stadium. This new stadium brought luck and confidence to the team, because that year, it won the Canadian championship. This victory gave the Impact access to North America’s CONCAFAF Champions League competition. Against all odds, the Impact defeated the Nicaraguan club Real Esteli , and at home, in front of more than 55 000 supporters, won its first game against the Mexican Club Santos Laguna. The Champions League adventure ended abruptly with a stoppage time loss in the second leg of the Santos Laguna matchup. The following season was crowned with the Impact’s third championship title. Since joining the MLS in 2012, Impact has been able to qualify for the playoffs once and to win the Canadian title during the 2013 season. The 6-0 victory against Montreal’s arch-rival Toronto FC was a memorable game.