IMFC v Orlando City or Champions League Final?

Saturday, 1st June. A big day for soccer, not just here in Montreal as the Impact host Orlando City and Part 2 of the Zakaria Diallo/Dom Dwyer “Friendship Pact”, but across the world where the overwhelming majority of fans will unite to watch the biggest football event of this season, The European Champions League Final.

And guess what? The two events clash. The Champions League Final kicks-off at 1500 EST, the Impact at 1600 EST.

What will Impact fans do? Will IMFC and MLS change the scheduling so their game is played in the evening? Why would TSN and TVA Sports wish to go head to head in the ratings with the Champions League Final? It’s bound to hit their viewing numbers negatively.

This writer always prefers to go out and watch a game LIVE, rather than watch TV football, but this is THE EUROPEAN CUP FINAL, something I’ve been watching every single year since 1968.

I have to admit to this being a huge dilemma.

Matt Stamey-USA TODAY Sports

There is no doubt in my mind that the attendance at Stade Saputo will also be negatively impacted on 1 June. There are lots of soccer-loving fans who will gather in an ever-increasing number of soccer-friendly venues across the city to tune in, pint of beer in hand. There will be just as many who will organize viewings in their private homes.

Personally, I hope someone sees sense and the Impact game is put back to later in the evening. But I’d also like to understand what other readers, particularly Impact match-going fans, think.

Do you feel that the scheduling should be re-arranged so that fans who wish to enjoy both games can do so? Or, you feel it’s ok that the respective matches go ahead at what is practically the same time?