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Analyst, TSN Radio 690 Montreal

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Hands up everyone who thought as the Montreal Impact closed out their 2014 MLS campaign dead bottom of the pile – resulting in the decision to cull an entire Starting XI from their overbloated and under-performing squad which allowed them to bring in the much needed upgrades - that here we are now almost exactly six months later and that very same club would be trotting out Wednesday night for the Final of the Champions League at Estadio Azteca in front of a frenzied crowd of 105,000.

They will walk that same walk undertaken by Pele in 1970 and Maradona in 1986 as they brought their nations to World Cup glory at the Azteca. It's a football world gone completely bonkers.

The Impact's journey to the Azteca you could say started at the conclusion of the 2013 MLS season. As the top Canadian MLS club that season the Impact earned the right as first seed to avoid both Toronto FC and the Whitecaps for the semi-final first leg of the 2014 Canadian Championship.

The history books will note the origins of this most remarkable of football journeys was Edmonton before a sparse crowd of 1,946 back on May 7, 2014 – when FC Edmonton had the audacity to pull off the shock 2-1 victory that evening. It took a dubious penalty in added time during the return leg in Montreal for the Impact to book their spot in the Canadian Championship final.

Throughout a campaign which will be a week shy of a year when it concludes at Olympic Stadium on April 29, time and time again when called upon the Impact have found a way, and the will to prevail. Not sure if the most famous moment to date was Porter's last gasp quarter-final equalizer at Olympic Stadium or the Klopas hip wiggle which immediately followed. The video of that made its way to the back page of one of London's more famous tabloid newspapers.

The more serious matter of making it to a Champions League final got the attention of the BBC who attended one of the Impact's final training sessions in Montreal before the squad departed for Mexico City April 16. If the club or any of the players were still wondering if they had indeed arrived on the world stage any lingering doubts were dispelled there and then.

Becoming only the second club in MLS history to make it to a Champions League Final does not seem to have fazed the Impact in any way. By the sounds of dispatches coming out of the Impact's camp the overriding mood is jovial. Go out and enjoy the occasion. A quiet confidence prevails.

Patrice Bernier, a veteran of the 'CONCACAF Hostile Territory' circuit has rightfully cautioned that his team must have control of their emotions and not allow for the occasion to overwhelm.

By the sounds of what the Impact's Fitness Coach and Performance Manager Paolo Pacione disclosed Monday to TSN690 when he spoke of the 'secret potion' to overcome the ill effects of altitude - the word jovial comes to mind. Apparently beetroot juice is not only the perfect anecdote it has the added benefit of enhancing blood flow to a very certain part of the body. For the man tasked to ensure the players are in tip top shape that certainly doesn't speak to been overwhelmed by the occasion.

MLS front office has pulled out all the stops for the Impact's cause. I could just imagine the Barclays Premier League would be just as sympathetic when it comes to the crucial balance of domestic fixtures and Champions League play as MLS has been in support of the Impact. They last played an MLS fixture in Houston April 11, nearly a month will have passed before they see action again when Portland pay a visit to Montreal on May 9.

Ironically by moving the April 18 scheduled Stade Saputo home opener against the Fire, the Impact's first match this season at their proper home stadium will be against Toronto FC in the Canadian Championship.

When also factoring in the show of Impact love displayed by their fellow MLS players, the later stages of the Champions League has become a rallying cry for the entire league. Not quite sure we could say the same of the Impact's opponent Wednesday night.

Storied Club América, with a history which they could set against any of Europe's top clubs, will have all the pressure Wednesday night. As they did in their semifinal second leg against Herediano, somehow though I don't think they will find the Impact so generous.

This is without question a football club which functions best when under siege. In need of an historical example, check the Impact's 2009 season. The March 5 'Meltdown in Torreon', was then followed up in spring 2009 with the most controversial outcome to the Canadian Championship to date - which also included for good measure the sacking of head coach John Limniatis.

The controversy centred on the Impact's Starting XI for what was for them a meaningless final group game at home to Toronto FC. With both eyes on a crucial league game with the Whitecaps, the Impact in essence fielded a second string XI. With the Whitecaps players and staff in attendance at Saputo Stadium that evening knowing a less than five-goal win margin for Toronto FC would result in them securing a first ever Canadian Championship. Not to be as Toronto FC ran out 6-1 winners.

Whitecaps were furious, still are. The Impact stood by their decision that the league match was their focus. Less than 48 hours later the Impact beat the Whitecaps, and ended that season as USL Playoff Champions. From zeroes in March, to heroes in October.

It's a mentality - a deeply imbedded club philosophy, their real true identity. Enshrined in their culture it has sustained the Montreal Impact throughout their time. They do not back down.

Whatever happens Wednesday night inside Estadio Azteca early next week, the Champions League trophy will arrive in Montreal.

If I learned anything about the Impact - this club will not allow the trophy to depart the city without the most almighty of football fights. They will have a sold out crowd of 59,020 counting on them.   

Noel.Butler@BellMedia.ca
@TheSoccerNoel on Twitter

CONCACAF Champions League Final First Leg - Club América vs Montreal Impact Live on CJAD 800 [CJAD.com], Wednesday at 9pm et/6pm pt