THE CANADIAN PRESS
MONTREAL — The Montreal Impact held the Haitian national team to a 0-0 draw Wednesday in an exhibition soccer match at Saputo Stadium.
The match was the second of six international friendlies the Impact will play this year.
"It is the first time in my life that I played in front of such an electrifying crowd," said Haitian defender Elkana Mayard, who played the full 90 minutes against his countrymen. "It was very special playing tonight."
Haitian players Felix Brillant and Pierre-Rudolph Mayard played in the second half for the Impact, who play in the United Soccer Leagues’ First Division.
Impact goalkeeper Srdjan Djekanovic played the entire game and faced nine shots for the shutout.
"We played a very good game defensively," said Impact head coach Marc Dos Santos. "Everyone did well tonight and we played with intensity. We respected the public today with a very good performance."
Haiti, currently ranked 124th in the world by FIFA, used the match as a tuneup for the CONCACAF Gold Cup, which starts Friday in the United States.
The Impact will play their next international friendly against Syria next Wednesday at Saputo Stadium.