Few pro sports teams have found much success out of Montreal – aside from hockey. The Expos are a prime example of the tough time franchises have had in the city. That said, amidst its continued growth and expansion, Major League Soccer granted Montreal an expansion franchise called the Impact, and the club has built a loyal and growing fan base.

Moving Up the Ladder

Like a few of the newer MLS expansion franchises, the Impact excelled in the lower levels of North American soccer before receiving an invitation to join MLS. The team was founded in 1992 as part of the American Professional Soccer League. Montreal ultimately moved to the United Soccer League First Division, winning championships in 2004 and 2009. In 2010, MLS officially announced that the Impact would join the league in 2012, making them the 19th MLS franchise.

The World Stage

The Impact didn’t have immediate success in MLS upon joining the league in 2012. But they did win the Canadian Championship in both 2013 and 2014, which earned them a spot in CONCACAF Champions League. The Impact took that opportunity and ran with it. During the 2014-15 Champions League campaign, Montreal made a surprising run to the finals before losing to Mexican side Club América. Despite coming up a little short, the Champions League success proved that the Impact are capable of performing at a high level.

Still Finding Their Way

Unfortunately for Montreal, that magical run to the Champions League finals in 2015 has been one of the few highlights in team history. The Impact has struggled to find consistent success in MLS, missing the playoffs in four of their first eight seasons in the league. On the bright side, support for the team in Montreal remains high, giving the Impact a chance to make a significant, well, impact, on MLS in the years to come.