MLS Game Summary - Toronto at Montreal
(Saturday, April 7, 2012)
From The Sports Network
Final Score: Montreal 2, Toronto 1
Montreal, QC (Sports Network) - The Montreal Impact claimed their first win in
Major League Soccer by defeating rivals Toronto FC, 2-1, at the Olympic
Stadium on Saturday in the first edition of the Canadian Classic.
Montreal's poor start to the season saw head coach Jesse Marsch shuffle the
lineup for Saturday's match, offering Sinisa Ubiparipovic his first minutes of
the year. The midfielder rewarded Marsch's faith with the opening goal of the
game. Rookie Andrew Wenger provided what proved to be the game-winning strike
nine minutes from time as Danny Koevermans pulled back a consolation goal for
Toronto in the dying minutes.
Ubiparipovic bagged his first goal of the season with a classy finish in the
18th minute. A turnover from the Toronto midfield was collected by Lamar
Neagle and promptly distributed to Ubiparipovic, who curled a low shot from
the top of the box that sailed just past the outstretched hand of Milos Kocic.
Toronto's hill became a mountain to climb in the second half when Logan Emory
was given a straight card for denying Sanna Nyassi a scoring opportunity. The
Impact striker was through on goal but Emory halted the advance with a barging
challenge that sent Nyassi to ground just outside the box.
Nyassi's ensuing free kick looked destined for the upper corner, but his
effort was foiled by a superb stop from Kocic.
Montreal did go on to seal the win with another goal as Wenger made the most
of his appearance as a substitute to score in the 81st minute.
The first overall pick of the 2012 MLS SuperDraft latched on to a long ball
over the top, cut the ball back inside the box and slotted a shot past Kocic
for his first career professional goal.
Toronto got on the score sheet in the 88th minute to make for a nervy finish
for the Impact. Reggie Lambe sent a pinpoint cross into the box and Koevermans
displayed his predatory instincts by nodding the delivery past Ricketts for
his first goal of the season.
The Impact held on though, claiming three points from a match for the first
time since joining MLS.
The only downside to the memorable win was the fact that Montreal (1-4-1) was
unable to keep a clean sheet. The Impact have conceded at least one goal in
every MLS match this season, leaking a total of 12 goals at the back. They
will look for a shutout in their next outing when they head to Texas to face
FC Dallas on April 14.
Toronto (0-4-0) is not only without a win, but is still searching for its
first point this season. Aron Winter's men will try to reverse their fortunes
next Saturday when they host Chivas USA at BMO Field.
04/07 14:21:25 ET
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